Diwali: Hindus Celebrate Triumph Of Good Over Evil

Over 4,500 years ago Lord Ramachandra embarked a boat from Ayodhya (present-day India) and made his way to Lanka (present-day Sri Lanka).

He intended to defeat Ravana. And defeat he did, not just Ravana but his entire army. When he returned successful the people of Ayodhya lit candles to welcome him. They celebrated the victory of good over evil.

On Thursday the Hindu community followed the decades-old tradition: they lit candles, exploded firecrackers and distributed sweets among friends.

The courtyard of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was lit up for festivities. Vendors set up stalls and families handpicked firecrackers and sweets. Children ran around playing with the ear-splitting firecrackers under the watchful eyes of their parents.

As the sun set they gathered inside the temple for worship. A Bhajan played accompanied by clapping. The temple ignited with yellow celebratory lights and the smell of fresh flowers.

“Diwali is to remember the victory of good over evil,” said Ali Mahraj, a priest. “Firecrackers are a recent addition. The idea is to worship through fire.”

A beaming Kunal Wakwani, who was at the temple with his wife and two children, said: “It’s an occasion for the children. We are here for them.” A devotee Vikram said: “Diwali is about new clothes and visiting friends and families.”

This year the Sindh government had announced a public holiday for members of the Hindu community working at government offices.

Pictures of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari celebrating Diwali at the Naudero House in Larkana floated on the social media. However, the community felt uneasy with lax security arrangements made for the occasion.

“We were hoping that all main temples of the city would have security arrangements, but this was not the case,” said Sanjesh Dhanja, a representative of the Pakistan Hindu Seva. “Many areas did not have electricity. We were hoping that K-Electric would ensure uninterrupted electric supply for Hindu-dominated areas like Ranchore Line and Lines Area, exactly like they do for Eid.”

(The News International)