Thousands of men, women, and children, both Hindus and Muslims, gathered at the historic 234-year-old Shri Swaminarayan temple in Karachi to celebrate Diwali, one of the largest Hindu festivals.
Diwali commemorates the triumphant return of Lord Rama, a revered figure in Hinduism, from exile. This festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, is marked by vibrant fireworks displays.
Located in the Serai Quarters, the Swaminarayan temple attracts not only local Hindus but also community members from various parts of the bustling city. Academic Hansa Rani expressed the significance of the celebration, explaining, “Diwali is a festival of happiness and light. Our Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Laxman.” She lit small oil lamps, or ‘diyas,’ to honor their return, stating, “We celebrate their return with joy, wear new clothes, distribute sweets, and create rangoli decorations on our floors.”
As one of the most significant Hindu festivals, Diwali is celebrated worldwide, where devotees illuminate their homes and workplaces to represent the triumph of light over darkness. The celebrations extend over five days, starting with ‘Dhanteras,’ followed by ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’ (Choti Diwali), Diwali itself, ‘Govardhan Puja,’ and Bhai Dooj, each day featuring unique rituals and meanings.
Gauri Dara, attending the temple with her family, shared her excitement about the festival: “We are here to celebrate Diwali. Just look at how joyful everyone is. It’s the one festival of the year when we have sweetmeats, worship, light diyas, and reconnect with relatives. Family from other cities also come to celebrate with us.”
Muslim attendees expressed their solidarity with their Hindu counterparts during the festivities at the Swaminarayan temple. Qasim Shafique, a senior television news producer, noted, “Despite being Muslim, I’ve come here every year for the past decade. I love celebrating Diwali with my Hindu friends in Pakistan.” He added that the Pakistani flag represents minorities, highlighting, “The white part symbolizes minorities. I come to celebrate that every year, enjoying the festivities with all my Hindu friends.”
