October 23, 2006	Monday	Ramazan 29, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: It was an evening of dramatic, beautiful and passionate bhajans inspired by the legend of Ram - the Hindu mythical warrior king - as the celebrations of Diwali moved into the next level of festivities on Sunday evening.

More than 40 families from the small and closely-knit Hindu community got together at the illuminated Krishna Mandir in Rawalpindi to pray, meet with relatives and friends to light diyas (oil lamps) and share ‘prasad’ (sweets).

The Krishna temple burst into life as the festival began with Nadeem’s bhajan and the gathering sang along “Ay Ram”. Joining the symphony were some women who sang their own line up of the sacred hymns warming up the crowd.

“This music is stirring stuff with tunes you will immediately enjoy,” said a Muslim girl Anum. She was attending the Diwali celebrations with her mother and young sister at the Mandir and said she was waiting to join other ladies to light diyas.

“On the whole Diwali has been a festival with more social than religious connotations. The first day families stay inside homes, perform ‘Lakshmi puja’ and prepare food like sweets and biryani etc,” said Channa Lal Pundit, audit officer at Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC).

“On the second day families and friends gather at the Mandir to offer prayers and sing sacred hymns - to forgive enmities and establish a world of closeness.”

It was a joyous night, said Herchand, Vikram Kumar and Tulja Ram. “It’s the most popular and eagerly awaited festival. Our Lord Ram returned from exile after 14 years, fulfilling a promise to his father and his stepmother. His teachings in the Ramayana are a beacon of light for us.”

Diwali, which also marks the beginning of the new year, has not lost its beauty, joy and auspiciousness for the Hindus in Rawalpindi. “The occasion sees the cleaning, white-washing of houses decorative designs or patterns painted on floors and walls to greet the new year,” said an elderly lady.

For nine-year-old Kamni, Diwali brought new gifts. “I have three new dresses for the festival which I will wear for the next three days. My Phuppo (aunt) made this new brown dress especially for the second day of Diwali,” she said, adding that she was waiting for her turn to sing bhajans with her sisters.

The joyous singing was followed by Lakshmi puja and prayers for the country and the people. The festival of Diwali is celebrated on a larger scale in Karachi and Shikarpur, Tharparkar, Hyderabad and interior Sindh which have sizable communities of Hindus.