Diwali in Pakistan, through pictures

Wishing everyone a very happy Diwali and hoping that Pakistan keeps growing as a tolerant and peace-loving nation.

Huma Choudhary October 25, 2014
The first day of Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights – was celebrated at Krishna temple in Rawalpindi yesterday.

As a budding photojournalist and having many friends who belong to minority sects, I feel passionately about the state of affairs of the Pakistani minorities. I was, therefore, thrilled to be part of the annual Diwali celebrations for the first time.

The warm, friendly and hospitable atmosphere at the temple made my stay extremely exciting and I thoroughly enjoyed covering this colourful celebration. Here are a few highlights of my unique experience:

1) A girl performs the ‘pooja’ ritual before the Hindu deity Lord Krishna.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

2) A woman decorates her hands with henna.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

3) Men exchange greetings at the temple’s entrance.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

4) A woman lights diyas (oil lamps) and places them in various corners of the temple.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

5) A man smears tilak on devotees’ foreheads.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

6) A teenage girl performs ‘arti’ before Lord Krishna.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

7) A woman prays on Diwali.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

8) The temple was decorated with fresh flowers and candles.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

9) Hindu Pundit blows a conch shell for blessings during ‘pooja’.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

10) A man offers prayers to Hindu God Krishna.

Photo: Huma Choudhary

The Hindu community, though a very small minority, constitute an integral part of the cultural and ethnic diversity of Pakistan. They are as much a part of Pakistan as the rest of us and understanding their occasions is something we should all strive to do.

Wishing everyone around the globe a very happy Diwali and hoping that Pakistan keeps growing as a tolerant, peace-loving and inclusive nation.
WRITTEN BY:
Huma Choudhary Huma Choudhary is a photojournalist working at The Express Tribune.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (40)

truely | 7 years ago | Reply bogus hindu festival
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