Festival of lights: Temples light up as Diwali celebrations begin

Special prayers will be held at temples on Tuesday.

RAWALPINDI: Hindus in the garrison city on Sunday began celebrating Diwali --- the festival of lights --- at several temples and homes. 

According to Hindu beliefs, Diwali commemorates the return of Rama, along with Sita and Lakhman from 14 years of exile to his kingdom, Ayodhya, after vanquishing the demon Ravana.

Hindus in the garrison city decorated their homes with lights, arranged parties and some of them also presented gifts to each other.

“We are celebrating the Ram Chandar’s victory over dark and evil forces and honour his return to his kingdom after defeating the demon, Ravana,” said Maharaj Jairam Amrit at the Krishna Temple.



Krishna Temple in Saddar has been well decorated and is due to host special prayers on Tuesday- the last day of the festival. Religious scholars of the community will deliver special sermons emphasising love and peace as enunciated and reiterated by Rama.

“We will pray to the lord to bring peace and prosperity to the country,” said Jag Mohan Kumar Arora, president of the Pakistan Hindu Sikh Social Welfare Council and a member of the Punjab Minority Advisory Council.

“Like Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, we are also feeling the pinch of terrorism and lawlessness, which demands all of us to pray for return of peace in the country. By praying during the festival, we are just fulfilling our religious obligations,” he said.

Arora said that as Pakistanis they expected that everyone enjoyed equal rights irrespective of cast, creed and religious affiliation. He urged the people to unite and work for the prosperity of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th,2013.