Diwali, the festival of lights, is one which is actively celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the globe. One country which is tremendously highlighted during this period, by the media especially, is India. Being a Hindu-majority country, Diwali holds an immense importance in the hearts of Indians.

The five-day festivity is cheered by many Hindu followers as it is the day when Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The jollity of the festival of lights begins with Dhanteras, followed by Chhoti Diwali, then Badi Diwali, and later, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj.

Celebrating the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, people brightly illuminate their households with lights, candles and oil lamps while adorning the night sky with radiant fireworks. Kids can be seen frolicking around with fire crackers and clay lamps, wearing their best clothes and therefore, contributing to the variegated color theme of Diwali. In Pakistan, the Hindu community celebrates Diwali with great zeal and devotion as well. The Sindh Government took this into consideration and declared a holiday for all its Hindu employees on Wednesday. Pakistani Hindus in Hyderabad celebrated the day in temples such as Rama Pir Temple, Kali Temple, Shankar Temple and Baba Temple. The Hindu community in Karachi celebrated the day in a variety of temples, however, the 200-year-old Swaminarayan is the largest one with a handful of Hindus living around it. Therefore many prefer to indulge in the religious rituals performed there.

Mithi, a Hindu majority city in Thar, Pakistan is an oasis of Hindu Muslim harmony. Muslims respect the beliefs of Hindus and vice versa. Samaa TV reported that a 72 year old pensioner in the city stated “Muslims do not kill cows. They only do so in remote places, but not in Hindu neighborhoods.” Residents of Mithi witness love, fondness and respect between both religions, a trait that one wishes the entire Pakistan embodied. Prime Minister Imran Khan also took to twitter to send his love to the Hindu citizens residing in Pakistan. Watch our Diwali video on YouTube: