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Lahore: Festive lights in terrible times - LahoreEstate - 10-18-2009 05:23 AM
* Hindus, Sikhs, Christians light clay lamps to celebrate Diwali
Staff Report
LAHORE: Despite the ongoing wave of terrorism in the country, or in spite of it, many Hindus, Sikhs and Christians celebrated Diwali, the Hindu ‘Festival of Lights’ on Saturday with zeal and fervour.
According to Hindu mythology, Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile.
The city’s Hindu community decorated temples and houses with lights to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Lamps for Lakshmi: Clay lamps (diyas) were lit to pay homage to the deity. They splashed doors with colour, while walls were covered with small footprints of rice, flour and vermilion powder. Hindus sang bhajans (devotional songs).
The main service took place at the Krishna Mandir. It was arranged with the collaboration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board. The temple was decorated with festive lights.
An event to mark the day was held at the Alhamra Hall. The National Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Ecumenism (NCIDE) organised the ceremony in collaboration with the Hindu Sudhar Sabha. The festival started with prayer by Pandit Tarseem Lal, followed by Lakshmi pooja. Hindu, Sikh and Christian women and children took part in the religious service. The minorities stressed that joint celebrations were a step towards promoting peace and harmony in society. They said all religions mandated the freedom of expression. Security remained at high alert for the festival.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\10\18\story_18-10-2009_pg13_2