PAKISTAN, October 27, 2008: Hindus in Pakistan, just like everywhere else, have been preparing to celebrate Diwali. All the preparations have been completed; families have renovated their houses and cleaned their neighborhoods. On Tuesday evening, Maha Laxmi or Lakhshmi Pooja (worship of the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi) will commence and houses and temples will be decorated with lights. This year’s preparation, though, has been affected by the recent increase in prices of commodities. “The prices of earthen lamps have risen by about 100% in comparison with last year,” said Dr Neel Kanth Sharma. “Diwali or Dipawali means the festival of lights, so it is important to light lamps on Diwali night.”
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