RAWALPINDI: Krishna Temple, the only worship place for the Hindu community in the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad, echoed with chants of ‘Happy Diwali’ on Friday evening soon after the end of mass prayers.

The Hindu community members from Rawalpindi and Islamabad gathered at the Krishna Temple in Saddar to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light.

The temple was illuminated with lights and witnessed hustle and bustle. Women, girls and children also came to the temple to offer religious rituals. The temple echoed with Bhajaans, religious songs.

The main feature of the festival was earthen oil lamps which had been light up in every corner of the temple and Rangoli - different patrons made from colour powder on the doors of houses and temple’s main entrance.

Diwali started on Thursday (October 31), but it was formally celebrated in the temple on Friday. It is the festival to mark the beginning of the New Year in the Hindu calendar and the home return of Hindu god Rama after 14 years in exile.

The festival started with Mantra followed by reciting verses from Ramayana and mass prayers. After that, children and women lit lamps and displayed fireworks. Special prayers were also offered for the country’s development and prosperity.

According to Hindus, Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Hindu god Ram Jee to Ayodhya from his exile after conquering Lanka and killed demon-king Ravan.

“Ram defeated evil forces and returned to Ayodhya, the people lit earthen lamps with Desi ghee to welcome him,” Jai Ram, a Hindu priest of the temple, explained.

He said that Diwali symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps were lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. He said on the first day the Hindus celebrated the festival in their homes and congregations were held at Krishna Mandir on Friday.

According to Jai Ram, the festival was connected with deep-rooted traditional and cultural values of Hindu religion. People wake up early in the morning, wear new clothes, offer prayers and touch the feet of their elders and in return elders give them Diwali gifts.

Krishan Bhatti said children enjoy the occasion a lot because they receive gifts from their elders, use firecrackers, and mostly families buy new clothes as well as utensils on the occasion of Diwali.

“All families try to take part in the celebrations wholeheartedly and according to their financial situation.” He said inflation forced many people to borrow money to celebrate Diwali, adding he also had to borrow money so he could buy new clothes for his wife and children.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024