Pakistan’s small Hindu community celebrated Diwali by adorning their homes with glowing lanterns and sparklers and offering prayers for the well being of the country.
“Diwali was celebrated across Pakistan. We held prayers for the safety and well being of Pakistan as this is our
land,” Jethanand Kohistani, President of Pakistan Hindu Council told PTI.
Sindh is home to most of Pakistan’s small Hindu community, which numbers about two million among a population of roughly 180 million.
In Islamabad, the small Hindu community burst firecrackers, distributed sweets and adorned their homes with
lanterns and sparklers to celebrate the festival of lights.
The Hindu community in Jacobabad had decorated the city giving it a bridal look, while the community in Hyderabad
celebrated the festival of lights with all the enthusiasm, The News reported.
Special prayers were held at the 30 temples in Dadu district, including the main Punchayet Hall. They also prayed
for the security and integrity of the country.
In Thar, the community lit up oil lamps outside temples, their houses and pooja ceremonies were held all over the
desert.
Diwali celebrations were also held in Multan where the youths came out in large numbers rejoiced and danced on the
roads and resorted to aerial firing in ecstasy.
The children in Rahimyar Khan lit up oil lamps and stoked up on firecrackers, the report said.
However, Dawn reported that Diwali was not celebrated with the traditional fervour this time in the garrison city of
Rawalpindi as the religious minority feared violence akin to the Peshawar Church bombings last month.
Most Hindu families in the city made arrangements within their homes to celebrate the three-day Diwali festival, it
said.
“Traditionally, Hindu women make a Rangoli at the doorsteps with coloured powder. The colours are a symbol of
life and wealth. We make Rangoli to welcome guests and gods who pray for the prosperity of the family while crossing
colourful patterns,” said Sita Kumari, a Hindu girl in the garrison city.
However, she said this time around, her family did not even make the Rangoli at the doorsteps to avoid their
identification fearing violence from militants.
“Though we (Hindus) are not a stakeholder in the war against terror, we are celebrating our festival amid a sense
of fear,” she was quoted as saying by the Dawn.
—————PTI