Hindus plan grand Diwali festivities in Harare with fireworks

Hindu Society Harare (HSH) is presenting a four-hours long Diwali Mela (fair) on October 22 in Harare celebrating Diwali, the most popular festival of Hindus.

It will include fireworks, entertainment and food-stalls.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended HSH for organizing Diwali festivities and for its efforts to keep the Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions alive and attempting to pass these on to the coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, wished “joy and light in every heart” to all Zimbabwe Hindus on Diwali, which falls on October 24 this year.

Sending Diwali greetings to 1.2 billion Hindus of the world, Rajan Zed urged them each to take a vow of “selfless service” on this sacred occasion.

Zed quoted ancient Hindu scripture Bhagavad-Gita: Selfish action imprisons the world. Act selflessly, without any consideration of personal gain…by dedication to selfless work one achieves the highest goal. Do your work with the well-being of others always in focus…Ignorant work for their own profit, enlightened act for the welfare of the world without any attachment.

Rajan Zed also suggested Hindus to focus on inner search, stay pure, explore the vast wisdom of scriptures, make spirituality more attractive to youth and children, stay away from greed, and always keep God in your life.

Hindus are God’s people, full of courage and generosity, Zed added.

In Harare, Cameron Street Shree Omkar Mandir celebrated 90^th anniversary in February 2019, while 25^th anniversary of Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir was observed in 2017. HSH “intends to publish a written record” of the hundred years of “community’s existence in Zimbabwe”.

In the pre-COVID-19 times, HSH reportedly had been conducting various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organized daily aarti at both the temples with Havan on Sundays; and offered funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.; besides running Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal. HSH has also been running various schools—Westridge High School, Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School.

Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.