The Hindu Community Celebrates Diwali with joy and tradition in Sindh, Pakistan. From temples in Karachi to colorful Rangoli in Hyderabad, families marked the festival with prayers, sweets, lights, and fireworks, reflecting harmony and cultural unity across the province.
A Festival of Lights Brightens Sindh
Every year, the Hindu community celebrates Diwali with joy and tradition in Sindh, filling the cities and villages with color, devotion, and light. This year was no different. Across Karachi, Hyderabad, Umerkot, and Tharparkar, Hindu families gathered to celebrate Diwali the festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
The festive spirit could be felt everywhere. Homes were shining with clay lamps (diyas), candles, and fairy lights. Streets were decorated with colourful Rangoli patterns, and children could be seen bursting crackers in the evening sky. The air was full of laughter, prayers, and the aroma of traditional sweets being exchanged among neighbours.
Temples across Sindh, especially the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Karachi, became centres of celebration. Devotees came together to offer prayers for prosperity, good health, and peace in Pakistan. This year, the government also declared a holiday for the Hindu community, allowing families to celebrate the occasion freely and joyfully.
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Diwali’s Religious and Cultural Significance
To understand why the Hindu community celebrates Diwali in Sindh with such emotion, one must know the story behind it. Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita Devi, and his brother Lakshman to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It also commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the symbol of evil.
When Rama returned, the people of Ayodhya lit thousands of lamps to welcome him home. That tradition continues today. The lighting of diyas represents the removal of darkness and ignorance and the arrival of light, knowledge, and happiness.
For Hindu families in Pakistan, Diwali is not just a festival it’s a way to reconnect with their roots, traditions, and loved ones. Despite living as a minority, they proudly uphold their religious customs and share their culture with others around them.
Celebration Highlights Across Sindh
The Hindu community celebrates Diwali in Sindh with full enthusiasm in cities and towns alike. Here’s how different regions marked the occasion this year:
| City / Area | Major Celebration Highlights |
| Karachi | Grand celebrations at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir; fireworks, sweets stalls, Rangoli, and lamp lighting |
| Hyderabad | Temples decorated with colorful lights; community prayers and music events |
| Umerkot | Traditional puja and family gatherings with homemade sweets |
| Tharparkar | Village-wide diyas lighting and folk dance performances |
| Sukkur | Children’s fireworks show and charity food distribution |
At the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Karachi, the festival was divided into three main days.
- Day 1 (Monday): Dhanteras, the day of fortune and wealth.
- Day 2 (Tuesday): Chhoti Diwali, symbolizing victory over negativity.
- Day 3 (Wednesday): Lakshmi Puja, when homes are decorated with flowers and Rangoli to welcome the goddess of wealth.
The temple grounds turned into a lively market with over 25 stalls selling Diwali items
from clay lamps and colorful decorations to sweets, stickers, and tiny statues of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman. Imported idols from India were especially popular, though some carried price tags as high as Rs. 12,000.
Traditions That Add Beauty to Diwali
Every ritual performed during the Hindu community’s Diwali celebration in Sindh carries deep cultural meaning. From lighting diyas to sharing sweets, each custom has a story.
- Lighting Diyas (Clay Lamps): Symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and brings positivity into the home.
- Drawing Rangoli: Made with colored powder or flowers to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that Rangoli brings peace and good fortune.
- Exchanging Gifts: Families exchange sweets, chocolates, and clothes to express love and unity.
- Fireworks Display: Adds excitement and joy, especially among children and youth.
- Puja (Prayer Ceremony): Families perform Lakshmi Puja to invite blessings of wealth and happiness.
Even non-Hindu neighbors often join in the celebrations, reflecting the peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity that Sindh is known for.
Government Participation and Public Support
The government of Sindh showed special respect for the community this year. A Diwali celebration event was organised at the Sindh Governor’s House, where Governor Kamran Tessori personally joined the festivities. He cut a Diwali cake and praised the contributions of the Hindu community to Pakistan’s peace and development.
Governor Tessori shared a heartwarming message, saying that members of the Hindu community live peacefully in Pakistan and enjoy equal rights. He also mentioned that even within the Governor’s House, there is a temple for Hindu employees to offer prayers freely.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also extended warm Diwali greetings. He said, “Sindh is the land of peace and love, where people of all religions celebrate their festivals freely.” His message was widely appreciated by community leaders who said that such support strengthens interfaith harmony.
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How the Hindu Community Keeps Traditions Alive
Despite being a minority, the Hindu community celebrates Diwali in Sindh with strong faith and cultural pride. Generations pass down the values of togetherness, sharing, and devotion. In cities like Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas, children learn from elders how to prepare traditional sweets like laddu, barfi, and gulab jamun.
Community members also organize charity events, distributing food and clothing among the poor. Many temples run free medical camps and donation drives on Diwali, reflecting the festival’s message of kindness and generosity.These actions show that Diwali is not only about celebration it’s about spreading light and helping those in need.
Common Items Exchanged and Their Meanings
Here are some popular Diwali gifts exchanged in Sindh and their cultural meanings:
| Gift Type | Symbolism / Purpose |
| Sweets & Chocolates | Sign of happiness and goodwill |
| Dry Fruits | Symbol of health and prosperity |
| Clothes & Jewelry | Express love and respect |
| Household Items (Trays, Bowls) | Practical gifts for family use |
| Decorative Lamps & Candles | Bring beauty and positivity to the home |
These small gestures create lasting memories and strengthen community bonds, especially among families separated by distance or work.
Why Diwali Matters to Pakistan’s Cultural Unity
Diwali is not only a Hindu festival it’s also a reflection of Pakistan’s multi-religious and inclusive identity. When the Hindu community celebrates Diwali in Sindh, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs often share greetings and participate in social gatherings. This unity sends a message to the world: Pakistan is a nation of peace-loving people who value diversity.
By preserving and promoting these traditions, Sindh continues to represent what Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a country where every citizen enjoys freedom of religion and cultural expression.
Key Points of Diwali Celebration in Sindh
- Major celebrations in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Umerkot
- Beautiful decorations at temples like Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Government-declared public holiday for the Hindu community
- Traditional sweets, Rangoli, diyas, and fireworks
- The Government and Chief Minister extended greetings and support
- Emphasis on peace, love, and interfaith harmon.
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Conclusion
In every corner of Sindh, the Hindu community celebrates Diwali with joy and tradition, reminding everyone that peace and togetherness can illuminate even the darkest nights. The colorful lights, the laughter of children, and the warmth of shared sweets are more than rituals they are symbols of unity that Pakistan deeply values.
As the diyas fade and the night ends, the message of Diwali remains let love and light guide us all.
FAQs
Why is Diwali important for the Hindu community in Sindh?
It represents the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. It’s also a way for the Hindu community to reconnect with their traditions and express cultural pride.
How many days is Diwali celebrated at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Karachi?
The temple celebrates it over three days: Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali, and Lakshmi Puja.
What kind of gifts do people exchange on Diwali in Sindh?
Sweets, dry fruits, clothes, jewelry, and household items are common gifts exchanged during Diwali.
Did the Sindh government participate in Diwali celebrations?
Yes. Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah both extended greetings and hosted events to honor the Hindu community.
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