Diwali, also known as the “festival of lights”, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated every year. It is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, and an official holiday in many Asian countries. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
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Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. Diwali is celebrated by some Hindu’s in the honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Others worship the goddess Kali instead of Lakshmi, and call the festival Kali Puja. The god Krishna is also recognized.
Before Diwali night, people clean and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi – the goddess of fertility and prosperity. After prayers there are fireworks and a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Diwali also marks a major shopping period.
Celebrating Diwali
These are some of the ideas you could implement to help children within your care celebrate their heritage and Diwali:
- Research the story behind Diwali and share this with all children as a bedtime story
- Create candle holders with the children using clay, salt dough or playdough
- Decorate colour in Rangoli patterns
- Look on the internet, in the library, or in book shops, for Diwali books for children
- Make Diwali cards
- Purchase or make some Indian foods
- Make Indian sweet to give as gifts
- Dress up in authentic clothing, sarees for girls and Kurta for boys
