Smoke billowed out of the Shri Swaminarayan Temple on MA Jinnah Road. Inside, it was lit up with firecrackers, dias and incense. Children lit firecrackers and threw them down at the feet of the horde of people walking in and out of the temple. Vendors, taking advantage of the occasion, thronged the temple to sell the firecrackers, sweets and incense. Women decked out in red saris and gold jewellery told their young daughters to keep their heads covered by dupattas.
It was time for the festival of lights, Diwali, to begin, to mark the beginning of a new year for the followers of the Hindu faith. The word diwali derives from a sanskrit word “deepavali” which means a row of lamps.
The five-day festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil of Ram over Ravana, as described in the Ramayan. Ram returned to his home in Ayodha after 14 years of exile and defeated the demon Ravana.
The people believe that the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, visits the home of every follower. Thus, they set up poojas, with thaalis decorated with sweets coloured by yellow sandoor, flowers and a clay lamp, and do aartis in her honour.
The pooja usually begins after sundown and with respect to Ganesh - the lord of beginnings and obstacles.
People come to the temple to be blessed by the gods, according to Vijay Kumar, the Maharaj at Darya Lal temple in Kharadar. While celebrating they did not forget their countrymen and held a special prayer for dengue patients and flood survivors at the temple, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2011.
For pictures of the festivities, view slideshow here.
COMMENTS (22)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Lord Ram was not in Exile for 1400 years, he was foir 14 years, thanks
@tribune :- exile was for 14 years not 1400 years correct it
Do you know that the Urdu poet, Alama Iqbal, wrote a very nice poem showing his love and appreciation for Hindu God Ram. If I respect my religion, I must show respect for other religions. Let me wish Happy Diwali to every one as my favourite poet, Iqbal, called God Ram a great hero
@ Nirav
how do u know? coz u are brainwashed by anti-pakistani movies? and we hates indians? lets me remind u, when pakistan toured to India, when Inzamam was captain, India lost, indians burnt our flags, when India toured to Pakistan,when Pakistan lost, they got standing ovation for the indian cricket team! U guyz are making films against Pakistan! u guys are always blaming Pakistan for every incident in india, so whose hatred is deep rooted?!
Happy Diwali to everyone :) and lets not get into this that who belongs to which country. Live your life and let others live their life.
@Qamar: you don't need anti hindu party bcoz most pakistanies (except baloch and sindhies) hates Indians
happy diwali to everybody who is celebrating...
@Sanjay : 'Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari greets Hindus on Diwali'
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistani-President-Asif-Ali-Zardari-greets-Hindus-on-Diwali/articleshow/10504478.cms
@ Venkat
Atleast we dont have anti-hindu party here in Pakistan like u guys have anti-muslim party Shiv Sena!
Happy Dewali to Hindu brothers
Both of you Venkat & Sanjay...Y don't u look at ur own self first?? Atleast there hasn't been any genocides reported against Hindus in Pakistan, unlike Muslims,Christians & Sikhs in India...& Secondly President Asif Ali Zardari greeted Hindus on Diwali,We have seen Imran Khan statement, but sorry to say I havn't seen Eid greetings from any Indian leader..there is a pic of Pakistani army giving sweets to Indians on Wagah, Y don't u appreciate all that??...look at ur ownself before criticizing others..
Happy diwali to all hindus around the world ,specially in Pakistan.Islam believes in the freedom for all the people belonging to different religions .I request the people of Pakistan not to call Non muslims as minorities but call them as Non Muslim Pakistanis .Enjoy diwali
Happy Divali to all my country men and to our neighbours in India too.
@ramanan and sudhir, what do you mean 'back'? India isn't the exclusive country for Hindus and Pakistan is not exclusively for Muslims. Hindus in Pakistan and Muslims in India have been living in those countries for hundreds possibly thousands of years, there is now where for them to go 'back' to!
@ramanan: and all muslims from india back to pakistan
@Pakistani First: Much appreciated. Happy Diwali to all.
Get all Hindus/Sikhs/christians back to India.
Pakistani PM and Prez should have officially sent Diwali Greetings to all fellow Hindus in Pakistan and Hindus in India and around world. This could have been giant step in building bridges. Happy Diwali and Prosperous new Year to all ...!! Jai Ho!
my god...!! 1400 years of exile? Dear Editor, It's 14 years, not 1400 years. How one can even live for 1400 years?
You hav to feel sorry for my fellow hindus....they dont even get their basic rights in pakistan....happy diwali anyways.....hope muslims do not put a ban on this too and take away their simple pleasures....
happy deepavali to peace-loving hindus in Pakistan, india, and all over the world. may the good win over evil - everywhere.
its 14 years not 1400.
A very Happy Diwali to my Hindu friends in India and Pakistan.