KARACHI, Oct 25: The members of the Hindu community in the city celebrated their annual festival of lights, Diwali, on Saturday.

Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, Ayodhaya, after completing his 14-year-long exile in the woods. Residents of Ayodhaya had lighted earthen lamps to celebrate the return. The Hindus also light the lamps to celebrate that occasion.

Younger people visit their elder relatives during the day for family gatherings and seek their blessings. In the evening, family members offer prayers to Goddess Lakhshmi.

All the temples in the city organized special prayer congregations and the main ceremony was held at the Swami Narayan Temple, opposite old KMC head office, M A Jinnah Road in the evening.

Religious scholars, in their sermons, urged the devotees to follow the teachings of Lord Rama, based on message of love and peace, in their daily life. Bhajans (religious songs) were also sung.

The meeting concluded with the special prayers for the solidarity and integrity of the country.