KARACHI: The Hindu community in Pakistan gathered on Friday to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, in large numbers at their temples and at private events held in their homes after a lot of confusion over the correct date.
This year, no one was sure whether Diwali would fall on October 31 or November 1—not just in Pakistan, but all over the world. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, the Pakistan Hindu Council’s chief patron, had previously clarified that Diwali would occur on October 31.
“The amavasya, or new moon, marks the beginning of Diwali. Furthermore, according to Pakistan Standard Time, amavasya occurs on 3:22pm on Oct 31 to end before nightfall, at 5:46pm, on Nov 1,” he made sense of in a video message circled via web-based entertainment.
He continued, “I hope this clears up any confusion about when Diwali will be celebrated this year.” Dr. Ramesh elaborated further. “On Diwali, the Lakshmi puja and aarti begin at the auspicious time after sunset, and that sunset is on October 31,” he said.
However, on Friday (Nov. 1), the Hindu community celebrated Diwali. Even when some people heard Dr. Ramesh and went to their temples to celebrate the festival in brand-new clothes filled with fireworks, they realized right away that they were not in the “right place” at the wrong time.
Although there were lit clay lamps at the main entrances of some homes within the Shri Swami Narayan Temple compound, there were no fireworks. However, Friday’s celebrations provided a different picture.
Even though Diwali is known as the festival of lights and has come to be associated with fireworks, it is also a time to make and give out sweets, give gifts like jewelry, and put pretty and colorful rangoli designs on the dehleez, or thresholds, of homes.
Diwali is observed to commemorate Shree Rama Chandra’s triumphant return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, according to Hindu scriptures.
After defeating Ravana, the demonic being, he returned. The people who welcomed him back by lighting clay lamps and placing them in his path celebrated the victory of good over evil.
As a result, the Hindu community puts pretty and colorful designs on the floor around their home entrances to commemorate Rama’s return.
Today, the people playing with fireworks and lighting the clay lamps has evolved into a much larger celebration. Sky rockets are used to launch spectacular firework displays in the night sky. Children who get into mischief purchase a lot of firecrackers, crackling fountains, comets, and other fireworks.
In addition, sweetmeats are prepared in Hindu kitchens early in the day for family and friends to share.
These include halwa, which is a dish of cooked dried fruit in homemade ghee or clarified butter.
Some make rich walnut halwa, cashew-nut barfi, simple khoya barfi, pera, rasmalai, rasgulla, gulab jamun, laddoo, and other similar dishes. Others also make rich walnut halwa. Diwali is a sweet holiday, just like meethi Eid.
It is also believed that the goddess Lakshmi would only visit a home that is clean and tidy, so Hindu homes are cleaned especially for the day. As a result, decluttering and, if one can afford it, painting the house are done days in advance.
Also, new clothes and gifts are bought in advance. Reunions can also take advantage of this time. After a long absence, friends and family come together for the occasion, providing an excellent opportunity for gift-giving.
Additionally, purchasing gold or silver jewelry on this day, which is regarded as auspicious, is an old custom.
