Hindu community across Pakistan is celebrating Diwali today with religious fervor and zeal. Scores of Muslims and Christians have also joined their Hindu brothers in the festivities.
Some 900,000 Hindu residents will celebrate the festival in Karachi. The celebrations are held at various temples around the country and metropolis.
The main ceremony in Karachi will take place at Swami Narayan Temple which is expected to kick off at 5:30 pm in the evening as per their specific time (mahurat). Other ceremonies are organized at Laxmi Narayan Mandir at Netty Jetty, Punj Mukhi Mandir at Soldier Bazar and Narayanwara Temple.
A major ceremony is planned at Mithi today in the evening which will be graced by the PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.Diwali, the festival of lights is observed on the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar.
Here’s a look at Diwali celebrations in India:
An Indian Hindu priest ties mango leaves at the entrance of a temple during Diwali, the festival of lights, in Hyderabad, on November 11, 2015. People decorate the entrance of their homes and business centers with banana leaves, marigold flowers, and light fire crackers during the Diwali festival which marks the victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu God Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. AFP PHOTO /NOAH SEELAM
Indian people buy banana leaves at a market during Diwali, the festival of lights, in Hyderabad, on November 11, 2015. People decorate the entrance of their homes and business centers with banana leaves, marigold flowers, and light fire crackers during the Diwali festival which marks the victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu God Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. AFP PHOTO /NOAH SEELAM
An Indian woman and her son light a fire cracker on the eve of Diwali in Hyderabad on November 10, 2015. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM
An Indian vendor sells statues of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi at a roadside stall on the eve of Diwali in Hyderabad on November 10, 2015. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM
An Indian woman holds a sparkler on the eve of Diwali in Hyderabad on November 10, 2015. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM
An Indian woman holds a sparkler on the eve of Diwali in Hyderabad on November 10, 2015. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM
An Indian Sikh Nihang (a traditional Sikh religious warrior) Baba ‘Avtar’ Singh wears an oversized giant traditional turban as he pay respects at the Golden temple in Amritsar on November 10,2015 on the eve of the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights. There will be no spectacular show of light and fireworks this Diwali at the Golden Temple as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided not to celebrate the festival in the wake of series of incidents of alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book). AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU
Indian athletes watch fireworks at the Madan Mohan Malviya stadium on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Allahabad on November 10, 2015. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO/ SANJAY KANOJIA
Visitors throng Akshardham temple, illuminated with some 10,000 Diyas or oil-lit lamps on the eve of Diwali in Gandhinagar on November 10, 2015. Lighting of the lamps started November 10 and will last until November 16. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY
Visitors throng Akshardham temple, illuminated with some 10,000 Diyas or oil-lit lamps on the eve of Diwali in Gandhinagar on November 10, 2015. Lighting of the lamps started November 10 and will last until November 16. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY
Akshardham temple is illuminated with some 10,000 Diyas or oil-lit lamps on the eve of Diwali in Gandhinagar on November 10, 2015. Lighting of the lamps started November 10 and will last until November 16. AFP PHOTO / Sam PANTHAKY
Indian customers shop for decorative garlands on the eve of Diwali in Jalandhar on November 10, 2015. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO / SHAMMI MEHRA
An Indian woman lights an earthen lamp in Amritsar on November 10, 2015 on the eve of the Indian festival of Diwali. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU
British tourists pose for a photo with Indian Sikh Nihang (a traditional Sikh religious warrior) Baba ‘Avtar’ Singh wears an oversized giant traditional turban as he pay respects at the Golden temple in Amritsar on November 10,2015 on the eve of the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights. There will be no spectacular show of light and fireworks this Diwali at the Golden Temple as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided not to celebrate the festival in the wake of series of incidents of alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book). AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU
It marks a celebration of the victory of truth over evil and spread the message of love, peace and harmony. The festival commemorates the homecoming of Lord Ram after vanquishing the demon king Ravana.
Hindu devotees light earthen lamps during the Diwali festival and decorate the area around their doors with colors. They illuminate their places with lights, pray together before their gods and exchange greetings. Fireworks and feasting follow the conclusion of prayers, and gifts are exchanged among close friends and family.
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