Diwali – Indian Festival of Lights
What is Diwali?
The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.
Diwali, Divali or Deepawali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year.
This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that’s also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities.
Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live. But there’s one common theme no matter where people celebrate: the victory of good over evil.
When Do We Celebrate Diwali?
The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during mid-October and mid-November.
How many days is Diwali celebrated?
Traditionally, Diwali is celebrated over 5 days:
DAY ONE: People clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune.
DAY TWO: People decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called Rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.
DAY THREE: On the main day of the festival, families gather together for a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.We illuminate the interior and exterior of our homes with diyas and rangoli,
DAY FOUR: This is the first day of the new year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.
DAY FIVE: Brothers visit their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.
What do we wear during Diwali?
Traditionally people go out and buy new clothes. Diwali is marked by vibrant colors, as well as the themes of light and illumination, so people wear clothes that reflect the joy and excitement of this celebration. All ages of women wear a lot of jewellery, henna paint, elegant sarees made from a variety of materials, such as silk, crepe, chiffon and velvet. All ages of men dress in classic but contemporary kurta and dhoti.
What do we eat during Diwali?
The celebration features various rich savoury and sweet dishes. Families cook food at home for when the relatives arrive and exchange gifts and watch fireworks. Each family celebrating Diwali will more than likely have its own favourite meal for the festival.
What activities To Do?Traditionally Diwali is all about families, friends and neighbours visiting each other’s homes for wonderful celebrations together however since 2020 all around the world a lot has changed.
Children are missing out on celebrating Diwali the way it used to be celebrated. Therefore, here are few fun activities that would light up their Diwali:
Cook together
The spirit of Diwali is all about cooking, eating and sharing with others a huge variety of sweets and savory yummy delicious food therefore involve children into cooking.
Rangoli Art
A Diwali celebration is quite incomplete without sketching out a beautiful rangoli on the floor and filling it with beautiful colours.Give children the floor or paper and let them get on with their imaginative and creative skills.
Glitter Diwali cards
Greeting cards made by kids is a very beautiful sentiment therefore get them involved into creating a colourful glitter Happy Diwali Card for their families and friends.
Diya & Candle making
Diwali is all about lights.
Guide children to make or decorate ready made candles
Diyas are an oil lamp, usually made from clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oils. You can also use playdough to create diya shape. Buy and decorate ready made diyas.
Why do we celebrate Diwali?
Bring awareness and enlighten children’s eagerness to learn as why we celebrate Diwali.
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