TruemorsThe place resounded with the sound of devotional songs, temple bells and loud firecrackers. All around, there was illumination. I attended the Diwali celebrations at the Swaminarayan temple a short while ago. It is located in the heart of Karachi's old city area, on M. A. Jinnah Road, across the imposing colonial Municipal Corporation building. There are hundreds of houses around this temple, inhabited by some of Karachi’s Hindu population. Pakistan has approximately 3 million Hindus. Diwali is celebrated with fervour. There are many temples in the city but there is only one Lord Swaminarayan temple in the entire country. This was constructed in 1849. Tonight the hustle bustle in and around the temple is a mixture of Hindus congregating here for worship as well as several media persons converging here to record the various activities.
Diwali in Karachi
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NP! ID: 1830180
Title: Diwali in Karachi
File Size: 254 × 303 – 43.06 KB
Created: Tue, 10/28/2008 - 6:52pm
Modified: Tue, 10/28/2008 - 6:52pm
File Type: image (jpeg)
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at 21:14 on October 28th, 2008
Making minorities safe in your own backyard reflects state of any society. People of Indian origin living around the world and those in India do not know much about Hindus (various sects including Sikhs) in Pakistan and media over there ought to play a large role. After 9/11 there is no future of radical politics. Minorities are equally responsible for making themselves a part of national mainstream. Hindus are also a part of social fabric in some parts of Pakistan and it is good to know.
at 10:00 on March 17th, 2009
It doesn't matter whether Indians are aware of Hindus in Pakistan, because Pakistan's Hindus are not NRI's - we're Pakistani through and through. India isn't the guardian of Pakistan's Hindus; so while its good for Indians to take interest in our segment of Pakistani society, they must be mindful that we Hindus here are Pakistanis alone, and that Indians have no say or political influence on our condition.
However, if you wish to donate money to renovate our temples, then please, by all means donate! =)