
PESHAWAR:
The Hindu community of the provincial capital observed the festival of Rakhsha Bandhan on Thursday. The celebration was arranged at the Hindu Balmiki Temple, Kalibari, and Hindu community members from all over the province participated in the festivities.
According to Haroon Sarab Dayal, leader of the Hindu community, the Hindu goddess Laxmi tied a ‘rakhi’ to King Bali, adding to the importance of this event. “Basically, rakhi is a thread... after tying it to someone outside of the family, a girl can enjoy the same status and treatment as that person’s real sister,” he said.
Ratan Kumar, a local who works with a marketing company said that Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the sister’s wishes for the brother’s long age, so that he could protect his sister well.
Peshawar Hindu Balmiki Mahsaba President Ram Lal said that the festival starts from mid July and for a month they engage in worship every day.
He said that at present there were about 437 Hindu families living in Peshawar and four temples across the city. Kalibari temple, however, was a major temple which is visited by Hindu community members from other parts of the province as well.
While praising the public for cooperating, he said the Hindu community was satisfied with the security arrangements and so far they have not faced any disturbance in performing their religious activities.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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While praising the public for cooperating, he said the Hindu community was satisfied with the security arrangements.
The fact that they need security arrangements to even carry out their religious practices does not speak well of their status and freedom in society.
The very reason India and Pakistan separated should have been religion only
Pakistan for Muslims and India for Hindus.
That way no problem would have ever occured.
Division of a country has to be on religion only.
@Vishal: my friend there is few people in pakistan who doing bad thing to hindu,as muslim it are pesponsblity to take care them. and protect the minority from crazy people.as muslim are teacher teach respect other religion.
Huh..
This "rakhi" means nothing.. We will see how many brother will be able to defend their sisters from forced conversions.
I feel sorry for my hindu brothers and sisters in the pakistan. There plight is like Jews in Nazi Germany.. I wish Indian Govt. can give nationality to all of them and just like Israel allow them to live in India.
It seems that Talibann's Stronghold Peshawar is more safer than Liberal Modern Karachi for Hindus. Thanks from me to Peshawar and Pakistan authorities.. I don't want to say but my heart is forcing me to say loudly,PAKISTAN ZINDABAAD
Loads of emotions involved in this festival. How beautifully its captured in this song by Rafi;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0T-HmIycqM
this even dates back to mughal era where a RAJPUT Queen sent rakhi too emperor humayun to protect her honor against invading enemies
Just 437 hindu families in Peshawar. You cant even call them minority.