Devotees light traditional lamps at Krishna Temple to celebrate Diwali in the garrison city while participating in the festival of lights. PHOTO: EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
The Hindu community of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, on Sunday with religious fervour, devotion and respect.
Special illumination ceremonies were held at Rawalpindi’s three main temples in Saddar, Gracy Lines and Lal Kurti to mark the occasion. The main Diwali celebrations are held at the Krishna Temple in Saddar.
Hindu families, including children and young people, arrived at the temples dressed in their finest clothes. Sweets were distributed among participants, while Hindu girls also brought lamps lit at their homes to the temples, where religious songs were performed.
Special prayers were offered for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and security.
Hindu families also arranged special Diwali illuminations at their homes, decorating floors and lighting lamps while performing religious rituals. The community remained in a festive mood throughout the day. Shopping was also carried out on Saturday night, the eve of the festival, while sweets in seven colours were distributed.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the festival of lights, is an important and ancient Hindu festival. Spiritually, it symbolises the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair.
It is celebrated every year on the new moon night in the Hindu month of Kartik, around the middle of November. On this occasion, homes, shops, temples and streets are illuminated with traditional oil lamps, candles and electric lights.
The Krishna Temple was decorated with electric lights, beautiful illuminations and traditional clay lamps. Women decorated the temple courtyard and floors with colourful rangoli designs. The ceremony began with prayers, particularly Lakshmi Puja, while the temple priest narrated the story of the Ramayana. Devotees sang bhajans, and sweets and prasad were distributed among participants after the prayers.
Fireworks were set off around the temple at night. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on the occasion, while people exchange sweets and gifts, light colourful clay lamps and set off firecrackers.
President of the Hindu Sikh Muslim Welfare Society Om Prakash Narain said the Lal Kurti Temple had been illuminated for 36 hours to celebrate Diwali.
“Diwali illumination is a festival of joy, and all our prayers are accepted. We have offered special prayers for Pakistan’s development and security,” he said.
President of the Hindu Welfare Society Sardar Hira Lal said major Diwali celebrations were held at the Gracy Lines and Krishna temples, with all priests also participating. Celebrations and religious rituals were followed by prayers, he added.
He said the Hindu community had also participated in the Pakistan Movement and remained at the forefront of efforts for the country’s development and security.
