Holi festival in Pakistan: Good vs Evil – by Samia Saleem
2010 Holi in Krishna Mandir in Lahore
Related articles: Holi festival and Pakistani Hindus
Holi day: Good vs evil, not white vs colour
KARACHI: Draped in white with an unlimited supply of coloured water and powder and glasses of bhang – you are now prepared for Holi. But the festival of joy is not just about colour and fun, it’s about the arrival of spring. And more importantly, the triumph of good against evil.
Hindus in Pakistan are celebrating Holi on Saturday (19 March 2011) – the festival of colours – that falls in the lunar month of Phalguna of the Hindu calendar.
The frolicsome colour fights that are the highlight of the festival will, however, not start until the Holika Dahan (the burning of Holika) which is the raison d’être of the day that falls on Poornamashi (a full moon). An effigy of the demon Holika is burned on a stack of wood, straw and bamboo.
In Karachi, the biggest celebrations are held at the Swami Narayan Mandir near the city courts where the Holika fire is burnt at sunset with symbols of purity such as rice, sandal wood, ghee and milk. Special Holi prayers are offered with the worship of Ganesh and are accompanied by sermons, informed Raja Chauhan, who claims to have started the celebrations of Hindu festivals in the city.
Hymns are sung and free food is distributed at temples.
According to one tradition, newlyweds are to take seven rounds around the Holika fire – just as they take seven rounds at their wedding – to add purity in their relations. Festivities last for two days. This year there are 13 Holi events being held at different places in the city, said Chauhan. “We are going to have special prayers for the victory of Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup match against Australia.”
Pak Hindu Welfare Association chairperson Mangla Sharma said an estimated 0.3 million Hindus reside in Karachi and the numbers are increasing every day as they are migrating from interior Sindh.
In Lahore, a formal event will be held at the Krishna Temple where special security measures have been taken, said Syed Faraz Abbas, the Evacuee Trust Property Board deputy secretary of shrines. He said the temple has been guarded by CCTV cameras, metal detectors and walk-through gates. There will be minimal celebrations in respect forslain minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
Mythology: Good vs evil
Holika was the daughter of the demon king Hiranyakashipu. He was granted a boon by Brahma for his long penance due to which he could not be killed “during day or night; inside a home or outside; not on earth or the sky; neither by man nor an animal; neither by astra (weapons that are launched) nor by shastra (weapons used by hand)” according to the Vaishnaya theology. Hiranyakashipu grew arrogant, demanding people worship him instead of the gods. But his own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of the god Vishnu. After trying several times to kill his own son, he ordered his daughter, Holika, to burn her own brother Prahlada. Holika, in her attempt, was burnt herself, while Prahlada emerged unscathed.
Hiranyakashipu was killed later by Vishnu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (not the sky or the earth) and mauling him with his claws (neither astra or shastra).
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2011.
Celebrating Holi in Pakistan 2011: Express 24/7 Report
Holi in Pakistan - Illustration by Ana Haleem
2010 Hindu community celebratin Holi in Karachi
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Hindu Holi festival celebrated in Karachi
Holi, the festival of colours, is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festivals. It’s an occasion that brings in fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors. Seen here celebrated in Karachi, Pakistan.
http://www.demotiximages.com/news/629772/hindu-holi-festival-celebrated-karachi
Minorities in Pakistan: No public holiday for Hindus for festivals
By Owais Jafri
Published: March 20, 2011
Hindu devotees pray during Holi celebrations at Swami Narayan temple in Saddar, Karachi on March 19. PHOTOS BY ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
MULTAN:
Hindus celebrated Holi, one of the community’s most significant religious festivals on Saturday. But while ceremonies were held across the country, the vast majority of Hindus did not take leave and went about their everyday chores.
While most employers are flexible about giving leave and government employees use off-days from their quotas, private companies cut salaries of those who avail the holiday.
“Minorities should have equal rights. Those working for the government should be given special leave,” says Shakuntala, whose husband works for a government office in Multan.
According to the Pakistan Hindu Council’s statistics for 2011, over seven million Hindus live in Pakistan. The figure is almost double that of Christians in the country who enjoy a public holiday on Christmas.
Ram, who is a senior member of the community from Rahim Yar Khan, said that it was regrettable that minorities were living in fear. “Even though the constitution says so, religious minorities in the country do not enjoy the same rights as those enjoyed by the majority,” he said.
While heads of state also send out felicitation messages for Eid and Christmas, no such greetings are made for Hindu festivals. For Eids, special monetary announcements are also made but for Hindu festivals, only the government of Punjab announced special financial relief. The provincial government has given Rs5,000 to each Hindu family living in southern Punjab, where over 150 Hindu families live. However, in Sindh, where many more Hindu households can be found, no such fiscal measure was announced.
Over 97 per cent of Pakistan’s Hindus live in Sindh and Punjab. “We have not received any stipend or other financial assistance even though this event is an important one for the community,” said Rajeev, a young labourer from Jacobabad.
While those with jobs are able to take days off, students, especially schoolchildren, almost always have to miss out on ceremonies to attend school.
“I wasn’t able to attend the ceremony because I had to attend class. I am very upset at missing out,” said Raas Damin, a student of grade 9 in Hyderabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2011.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/135240/minorities-in-pakistan-no-public-holiday-for-hindus-for-festivals/
Happy Holi to all Pakistanis
Fear mars Holi festivities
our correspondent
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Karachi
The Hindu festival of Holi brings merry moments for the community. It is a time when young and old alike come together every year to celebrate a Hindu deity, who escaped from fire thousands of years ago.
But this year’s festival did not bring this sort of joy for Hindus, as dozens of Holi events had to be cancelled owing to scare and fear that gripped the minorities following the high-profile killing of federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti.
Patron of Pakistan Hindu Council Ramesh Kumar said that their Sunday’s major Holi event that was being usually participated by 10,000 people every year at the YMCA ground has been cancelled.
“The enthusiasm and joy with which the people used to celebrate the religious festivals had simply disappeared. Bhatti’s death along with the increasing violent attacks on minorities has left a negative impact on the community, therefore, we have decided not to hold any event at the moment.”
He added that people get terrified to celebrate their occasions at public places due to the highly fragile situation in the metropolis, where anyone could become a victim of street crimes and anyone could lose life in target killings.
According to the Hindu belief, the vibrant two-day festival is used to mark the arrival of spring as well as the victory of righteous Prahlada, who stood up against his arrogant father and self-proclaimed god Hirayakashipu. The angered father asked his sister Holika to take revenge by putting Prahlada into the fire. However, instead of Prahlada, it was Holika who perished in the fire, while the pious man remained safe.
Raju, President of Kuchhi Meghwar Panchayat, said that their organization had organised an event in Kharadar last year but no such festival has been planned this year.
He said that they have been celebrating this year’s festival with simplicity at homes.
Another member of the community Ashok Kumar said that two events in Site and Gulistan-e-Jauher have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, Kavi Shankar Lal said that celebrations would be mostly held in the four major temples of the city.
The participants will spray coloured water and throw powder colour on one another amidst singing hymns and bhajans and praying around the bonfire which commemorate the burning of Holika, he added.
“The next day, we pay visits to one another and the women cook special food such as papar and mithai.”
Meanwhile, Minority Minister Pitamber Sewani distributed cheques amongst the community people.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=37081&Cat=4&dt=3/20/2011
Hindus celebrate Holi
our correspondent
Sunday, March 20, 2011
LAHORE: Members from the Hindu Community celebrated the festival of Holi across the country with traditional zeal and fervour.
According to a press release issued here on Saturday, various events were organised by the Evacuee Trust Property Board in different parts of the country, which were participated in by a large number of Hindus. A major event in this regard was held at the Karishna Mandir, Ravi Road, Lahore, which saw a huge participation from the community.
Evacuee Trust Property Board chairman and PPP central leader Syed Asif Hashmi, congratulated the members of the Hindu community and said people from all religions had the right to spend their lives as per their will. There was not any space for militancy and extremism in any religion, he said, adding that the minorities were free in Pakistan and the government had taken special measures for their welfare.
Syed Asif Hashmi said the PPP had always safeguarded the rights of minorities and the present government was also following the same spirit.
The chairman of the Hindu Welfare Council, Manohar Chand, appreciated the role of the ETPB chairman for paying special attention towards the arrangements of the Holi Festival.
The festival was also attended by Additional Secretary Board (Shrine) Zahid Bokhari and Chaudhry Riaz.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=37192&Cat=2&dt=3/20/2011
Asma, team to join Holi celebrations
Sohail Khan
Thursday, March 17, 2011
ISLAMABAD: President SCBA Asma Jehangir and her 138-member delegation will participate in Hindu festival of “Holi” in India.
“Bring a pair of rough outfits to wear for the “holi” day which falls on the weekend. The colour could spoil your regular clothes,” Asma Jehangir instructed the huge delegation of 138 members of SCBA before leaving for India on Wednesday to participate in a seminar at Jaipur (India), commencing on March 18.
The topics of the seminar include: The role of lawyers in strengthening democratic institutions in India and Pakistan; Application of International law in domestic jurisdiction and Public Interest; Legislation-Strengths and weaknesses.
The huge delegation left for India through Wagah border however, leaving behind criticism on the part of other 22 members of the Bar who were dropped form the delegation. A copy of information for the visiting delegation (available with The News) was distributed among the members.
This gives the schedule of visit and other information and instruction for travelers to India. It also includes special instructions for members of the delegation to bring along with a pair of rough clothes to wear for ‘holi.’
The SCBA President chose to take along 138 people (Members of the Bar) to India, ignoring 22 members considered to be her opponents. “There were many mistakes in the applications submitted by 22 members of the Bar for Indian visa,” Saliheen Moghal, Additional Secretary Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) told The News, quoting Asma Jehangir.
He however did not give any other reason and said that he had opposed the visit during the meeting held in November in Lahore. “It’s a sight-seeing tour and not a meaningful and purposeful result-oriented participation in a conference on legal issues,” Moghal said adding that he was the first person to oppose the visit on many grounds.
Senior lawyer and former President of Punjab Bar Association, Rawalpindi Bench, Sardar Asmat Ullah who remained active in movement for the restoration of judiciary and who was also dropped from the Indian tour strongly rejected the reasons given by Asma Jehangir.
He said that Asma took revenge of her defeat from Rawalpindi-Islamabad in the SCBA elections. He said that he was one of the supporters of Ahmed Owais, the opponent of Asma Jehangir in the election therefore he had to face the situation.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=4682&Cat=13&dt=3/17/2011
QUETTA: The Hindu community in Balochistan has decided to celebrate Holi with simplicity this year as their top spiritual leader, abducted three months ago, is still missing.
Meanwhile in Kalat District, the community has decided to cancel all celebrations because of the assassination of a member of the royal family of Kalat. Agha Mehmood Ahmedzai, who is also the nephew of a provincial minister, was shot dead early this week.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the community’s Kalat chapter under the chairmanship of Divaan Harichand, Makhi Chand and Chaudhry Jettanand. Maharaja of the historic Kali Mandir, Luckmi Chand Garji, was abducted last December and there is still no trace of him.
“Law enforcement agencies have failed to trace the kidnapped Hindu leader despite a lapse of three months,” Harichand said, adding that the government had been assuring the community for the maharaja’s safe recovery but his whereabouts were yet to be ascertained.
The population of Hindus in Balochistan is more than 200,000. The festival of Holi is scheduled to be celebrated on Saturday.
In Lahore, a formal event will be held at the Krishna Temple where special security measures have been taken, said Syed Faraz Abbas, the Evacuee Trust Property Board deputy secretary of shrines. He said the temple has been guarded by CCTV cameras, metal detectors and walk-through gates. There will be minimal celebrations in respect for slain minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
NOTE : Lahore is the capital of the Pakistan province of Punjab and the second largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi. A legend based on oral traditions holds that Lahore, known in ancient times as Lavapuri (“City of Lava” in Sanskrit), was founded by Prince Lava or Loh, the son of Rama, the Hindu deity, while Kasur was founded by his twin brother Prince Kusha. To this day, Lahore Fort has a vacant temple dedicated to Lava (also pronounced Loh, hence Loh-awar or “The Fort of Loh”).
The city of Lahore has a Hindu-Rajput origin. The earliest princes were said to be Rajputs from Ayodhya, of the same family as those who reigned in Gujrat and Mewar. Hieun Tsang, the Chinese traveller, who visited the Punjab in 630 AD, speaks of a large city, containing many thousands of families, chiefly Brahmans, situated on the eastern frontier of the kingdom of Cheka, which he says, extended from the Indus to the Beas.
In Karachi, the biggest celebrations are held at the Swami Narayan Mandir near the city courts where the Holika fire is burnt at sunset with symbols of purity such as rice, sandal wood, ghee and milk. Special Holi prayers are offered with the worship of Ganesh and are accompanied by sermons, informed Raja Chauhan, who claims to have started the celebrations of Hindu festivals in the city.
Hymns are sung and free food is distributed at temples.
According to one tradition, newlyweds are to take seven rounds around the Holika fire – just as they take seven rounds at their wedding – to add purity in their relations. Festivities last for two days. This year there are 13 Holi events being held at different places in the city, said Chauhan. “We are going to have special prayers for the victory of Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup match against Australia.”
Pakistan Hindu Welfare Association chairperson Mangla Sharma said an estimated 0.3 million Hindus reside in Karachi and the numbers are increasing every day as they are migrating from interior Sindh.
http://pakistanhindupost.blogspot.com/2011/03/exclusive-report-2011-holi-will-be-not.html
Extremism, kidnappings take gloss away from Holi celebrations in Pakistan
By: Amar Guriro | Published: March 18, 2011
KARACHI – Hindus would not be able to celebrate their religious festival Holi with traditional enthusiasm due to the recent floods, kidnappings for ransom of adults and children from Sindh and Balochistan, and increasing religious extremism.
Residents of several towns and cities of Sindh – the hub of Pakistani Hindus – have announced that they would observe the festival with simplicity for various reasons.
Holi – the festival of spring – would be observed on Saturday and Rangoli – the festival of colours – would fall on Sunday.
Pakistani Hindus are believed to be the biggest religious minority of the country with a population of, according to the 1998 census, 2.7 million people, majority of whom live in Sindh. In the northern districts of the province, the recent waves of kidnappings for ransom of minor Hindus have adversely affected the community in the districts.
A detailed research conducted by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child National Manager Salam Dharejo reveals that between 2008 and 2010, at least 23 minors – some as young as three years old – were kidnapped for ransom in Kashmore and Kandhkot towns, nine of whom were Hindus, including four girls.
The study also stated that recently, 12 more child kidnapping cases were brought to light, and half of the victims belonged to Hindu families, whereas most of these children have not been recovered yet. Due to increasing kidnappings for ransom of Baloch Hindus in Balochistan, several families have so far migrated to India and other countries, whereas many others are planning to leave.
“In the northern districts of Sindh, most Hindus are businessmen, so their children are being kidnapped for ransom. Under these circumstances, how can Hindu families celebrate the festivals of happiness,” said Revachand, a resident of Kashmore Town. In the past, the Sindhi Hindus of Umerkot, Tharparkar and Sanghar – the districts with thick Hindu population – celebrated the colourful festival of Holi on a massive scale, but in 2009, a tragic incident occurred, because of which the local Hindus are still in fear.
On March 11, 2009, the Hindu community was celebrating Holi when some Muslims in the area, who found some things written on the road with colours in connection with Holi celebrations, considered the writings sacrilegious. Several towns in the districts and nearby districts were closed down while angry mobs attacked the properties of Hindus. “Though it was the first incident of its kind, we have restricted our celebrations to limited areas to avoid any unpleasant event,” said a resident of Vahro Sharif village near Umerkot.
Besides that, in the recent floods, a large number of Hindus, who were working as landless peasants in kutcha area – the worst flood-hit area of the province – were rendered homeless, and despite the passage of several months, many of them are still living at relief camps; therefore, they would also be unable to celebrate their religious festival. Since centuries, Sindh – also known as the land of Sufis – has been a model of religious harmony, and Sindhi Muslims usually celebrate Hindu festivals with their Hindu friends, but times have changed.
Increasing religious extremism in the Pakistani society has also affected the Sufi Sindh, and many Sindhi Muslims, despite willing to join their Hindu friends in their celebrations, are unable to do so, which is a bad omen for Sindhi Hindus.
http://pakistanhindupost.blogspot.com/2011/03/exclusive-report-2011-holi-will-be-not.html
Hindu community celebratin Holi in Lahore
http://dailywaqt.com/openlink.asp?ddir=200311&im=p2-04.jpg
Holi Festival Ayaz Latif Palijo adresses thousands of Sindhi Hindus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z70TID4AwvA&feature=player_embedded