Diwali

Diwali celebrates the new year for

some Hindu people. It is sometimes
called ‘the festival of light’ because
of the oil lamps that people use to
light their homes. It is a time when
families and friends come together
to celebrate. Diwali usually takes
place at the end of October or at the
start of November.

A Look at the Week

Day 1: The first day of Diwali is a time for cleaning and
decorating homes and shops with rangoli patterns, which
are made using coloured flour or flower petals.

Day 2: Henna is painted on hands. People prepare food for

the third day.

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 Diwali

Day 3: This is the day of Diwali and the main festival

day. Best clothes and jewellery are worn, lamps are lit
and prayers are said to Lakshmi – the goddess of good
fortune. Hindu people believe that Lakshmi walks the
earth on Diwali night, so people will put lamps outside
and open their doors and windows to welcome her into
their homes. Family and friends visit each other, give
gifts and enjoy food together. Fireworks are lit too.

Day 4: This day is Govardhan Puja. Many thousands

of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja
to perform Govardhan Puja. From then on, every year
Hindu people worship Govardhan to honour the first
Puja (act of worship) done by the people of Vraja.

Day 5: On the last day, brothers and sisters pray for

each other to show their love.

Did you know?

• Diwali is a festival to celebrate good over evil and light over darkness.
The story of Rama and Sita gives us this message. Whilst living in the
forest, Ravana the demon king kidnapped Sita. Rama found Sita and
killed Ravana. The couple returned home to their land and people lit
lamps to welcome them.

• This festival is also celebrated by Sikhs. They remember Guru

Hargobind and 52 princes who were freed from prison.

• Diwali is also celebrated in the Jainism and Newar Buddhism religions.

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 Diwali Questions
1. Fill in the missing words.
celebrates the new year for some .

2. Why is Diwali called the festival of light? Tick one.

Because the sun always shines on this day.

Because of the oil lamps people use to light their homes.
Because the festival of light is in the daytime.
Because the festival of light only happens at sunset.
3. In which month does the festival of Diwali usually take place?

4. What are Rangoli patterns made from? Tick one.

Different coloured paper

Different fabrics of different colour
Henna
Coloured flour or flower petals for decoration
5. Who is Lakshmi? Tick one.

The god of thunder

The goddess of hope
The god of war
The goddess of good fortune

6. Read the following statements and tick whether they are true or false.
True False
Diwali celebrates the new year for some Hindu people.
The first day of Diwali is a time for decorating homes and shops.
Ravana was the demon king who kidnapped Sita.
Hindu people believe that Govardhan walks the earth on Diwali
night.

7. Which is your favourite day of Diwali? Why?



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 Diwali Answers
1. Fill in the missing words.
Diwali celebrates the new year for some Hindu people.

2. Why is Diwali called the festival of light? Tick one.

Because the sun always shines on this day.

Because of the oil lamps people use to light their homes.
Because the festival of light is in the daytime.
Because the festival of light only happens at sunset.
3. In which month does the festival of Diwali usually take place?
The festival of Diwali usually takes place at the end of October or the beginning of
November.
4. What are Rangoli patterns made from? Tick one.

Different coloured paper

Different fabrics of different colour
Henna
Coloured flour or flower petals for decoration
5. Who is Lakshmi? Tick one.

The god of thunder

The goddess of hope
The god of war
The goddess of good fortune

6. Read the following statements and tick whether they are true or false.
True False
Diwali celebrates the new year for some Hindu people.
The first day of Diwali is a time for decorating homes and shops.
Ravana was the demon king who kidnapped Sita.
Hindu people believe that Govardhan walks the earth on Diwali
night.

7. Which is your favourite day of Diwali? Why?

Pupils’ own responses, such as: Day three is my favourite day of the festival because
I think the lights from the fireworks would be beautiful.

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 Diwali
Diwali is a festival that is celebrated by Hindu people all around the world.
It is often talked about as ‘the festival of light’ because of the tradition of oil
lamps that people use to light homes, shops and public places. This colourful
celebration takes place over three to five days and marks the start of the new
year. During the festivities, families and friends come together to celebrate. The
date changes each year, however it usually falls at the end of October or in
early November.

The first day of Diwali is a time for cleaning and decorating homes
and shops with rangoli patterns which are made using coloured flour
or flower petals.

The second day is another day for preparations. Henna is painted on hands,
and food is prepared for the third day.

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 Diwali

The third day is the day of Diwali - the main

festival day. Best clothes and jewellery are
worn, lamps are lit and prayers are said to
Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and good
fortune. Hindu people believe that Lakshmi
walks the earth on Diwali night, so people
will put lamps outside and open their doors
and windows to welcome her inside their
homes. Family and friends visit each other,
give gifts and enjoy food together. Firework
displays also take place. The day after Diwali
is when husbands and wives celebrate their
marriage and Bhai Dooj is the final day of
Diwali. On this day, brothers and sisters show
their love by saying prayers for each other.

Diwali is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over
darkness. In the story of Rama and Sita, Rama and his wife, Sita, were told
by his father and mean stepmother that they must go and live in the forest.
Whilst living in the forest, Ravana the demon king captured Sita. Rama’s friend,
Hanuman the monkey king, found Sita on an island. Rama killed Ravana and
rescued Sita. Rama and his wife safely returned home to their land. People lit
lamps and put them in their windows to welcome them back.

The festival is also celebrated by some Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Newar Buddhist
people. They remember the release of Guru Hargobind and 52 princes from
prison in 1619.

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 Diwali Questions
1. Fill in the missing words.
is a festival that is by Hindu people all
the world.

2. Over how many days does Diwali take place? Tick one.

1 day
6 days
5 days
7 days
3. What is the first day of Diwali a time for?

4. What happens after Diwali? Tick two.
Families have a party to celebrate.
Husbands and wives celebrate their marriage.
Brothers and sisters say prayers for each other.
People put lamps outside and open their doors and windows.
5. What is Lakshmi the goddess of? Tick one.
The goddess of thunder and lightning
The goddess of hope
The goddess of love
The goddess of wealth and good fortune

6. Read the following statements and tick whether they are true or false.
True False
Diwali is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Rama and his wife were told to go and live in the forest.
Hanuman was a demon king who captured Sita.
Diwali is also celebrated by some Sikh people.

7. Why do you think cleaning the home is an important part of Diwali? Explain your reasoning.


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 Diwali Answers
1. Fill in the missing words.
Diwali is a festival that is celebrated by Hindu people all around the world.

2. 2. Over how many days does Diwali take place? Tick one.

1 day
6 days
5 days
7 days
3. What is the first day of Diwali a time for?
The first day of Diwali is a time for cleaning and decorating homes and shops with
rangoli patterns.
4. What happens after Diwali? Tick two.
Families have a party to celebrate.
Husbands and wives celebrate their marriage.
Brothers and sisters say prayers for each other.
People put lamps outside and open their doors and windows.
5. What is Lakshmi the goddess of? Tick one.
The goddess of thunder and lightning
The goddess of hope
The goddess of love
The goddess of wealth and good fortune

6. Read the following statements and tick whether they are true or false.
True False
Diwali is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
Rama and his wife were told to go and live in the forest.
Hanuman was a demon king who captured Sita.
Diwali is also celebrated by some Sikh people.

7. Why do you think cleaning the home is an important part of Diwali? Explain your reasoning.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think cleaning the home is an important part of the
first day of Diwali because Hindu people are preparing for a visit from Lakshmi, the
goddess of wealth and good fortune, who they hope will enter their home on the third
day bringing the family prosperity in the year to come.

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 Diwali
Diwali is a festival that is celebrated by Hindu people
all around the world. The word Diwali means ‘rows of
lighted lamps’. It is often referred to as ‘the festival of
light’ because of the tradition of oil lamps that people
use to light homes, shops and public places. Diwali
marks the beginning of the new year.

This colourful celebration takes place over three to five

days depending on where you are in the world. During the
festivities, there is a focus on bringing friends and family
together, as well as encouraging each other to be kind to
those of other faiths and races.

Nobody is quite sure how Diwali began, but it can be dated

back to ancient times. The date changes each year, however
it usually falls at the end of October or the beginning of
November. The festival happens at the time of the new
moon, which is where the moon is not visible in the night sky. Hindu people
use the lunisolar calendar to work out when this will happen.

Dhanteras is the first day of

Diwali and a time for cleaning and
decorating homes and shops with
rangoli patterns. These vibrant
patterns are created using coloured
flour or flower petals. Many believe
this day to be Lakshmi’s birthday
– the goddess of wealth and
prosperity. Dhanvantari’s birthday,
the god of health and healing, is
also celebrated by many Hindu
people on this day. Diyas (lamps)
are kept burning in their honour.

The second day is known as Naraka Chaturdashi – this is another day for
preparations. Henna is painted on hands and food is prepared for the third day.

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 Diwali

The third day is the day of Diwali – the

main festival. Best clothes and jewellery
are worn, lamps are lit and prayers are
said to Lakshmi. Hindu people believe
that Lakshmi walks the earth on Diwali
night so people will put lamps outside and
open their doors and windows to welcome
her inside their homes. On this special
day, mothers are honoured and given
gifts to show appreciation for all they do
throughout the year. Relatives and friends
visit each other, exchange gifts and enjoy
food together. Firework displays also take
place.

Diwali is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil, light over
darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The legends that go with the festival
differ depending on where you are in the world. In northern India, Diwali
commemorates Rama and Sita’s return from exile. In the story, Rama and
his wife, Sita, are banished to the forest by his father and cruel stepmother.
Whilst in the forest, Ravana the demon king captured Sita. Rama’s friend,
Hanuman the monkey king, found Sita who had been imprisoned on an island.
Rama killed Ravana with a magic arrow and rescued Sita. Rama and his wife
returned home to their land. People lit lamps and put them in their windows to
guide and welcome the couple home again.

Diwali Facts:
• In Nepal, Diwali honours the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king
Narakasura. In Bengal, it is associated with a goddess named Kali.

• During Diwali, another tradition is the worship of cattle by farmers. This

is because these animals are their source of wealth.

• This festival is also celebrated by some Sikh people. Their festival marks
the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 princes from prison
in 1619.

• Diwali is also celebrated by some Hindu, Jain and Newar Buddhist

people.

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 Diwali Questions
1. What do some Hindu people use the lunisolar calendar to work out?



2. Why do you think best clothes and jewellery are usually worn on the day of Diwali?
Explain your reasoning.


3. Why do some Hindu people want to welcome Lakshmi into their homes? Explain your
reasoning.


4. Find and copy one word which means defeating an enemy.



5. Diwali is celebrated differently around the world. Why do you think this happens and can
you compare this to another religious festival that is also celebrated differently around the
world? Explain your reasoning.





6. Why do some Sikh people celebrate Diwali?




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 Diwali Questions
7. Read the following statements and tick whether they are true or false.
True False
Diwali can be dated back to ancient times.
The festival happens at the time of the new moon.
In Nepal, Diwali honours the victory of Narakasura.
The first day of Diwali is known as Naraka Chaturdashi.

8. Think of another story you have read or heard where good wins over evil. Briefly describe
the story.


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 Diwali Answers
1. What do some Hindu people use the lunisolar calendar to work out?
Some Hindu people use the lunisolar calendar to work out when the next new moon
will be.

2. Why do you think best clothes and jewellery are usually worn on the day of Diwali?
Explain your reasoning.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think best clothes and jewellery are worn on the day of
Diwali as it is a very important and special day for some Hindu people around the
world. This day only comes around once every year so people dress up to celebrate
the occasion.

3. Why do some Hindu people want to welcome Lakshmi into their homes? Explain your
reasoning.
Some Hindu people want to welcome Lakshmi into their homes because she is the
goddess of wealth and prosperity. Some Hindu people put lamps outside and open their
doors and windows to welcome her inside their homes in the hope that she will bring
them good fortune.

4. Find and write one word which means defeating an enemy.

Victory.

5. Diwali is celebrated differently around the world. Why do you think this happens and can
you compare this to another religious festival that is also celebrated differently around the
world? Explain your reasoning.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think Diwali is celebrated differently in different
places around the world because people’s beliefs are different all over the world.
Christmas is another religious festival that is celebrated in different ways around
the world.

6. Why do some Sikh people celebrate Diwali?

Some Sikh people celebrate Diwali for different reasons to Hindu people. Their festival
marks the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 princes from prison in 1619.

7. Read the following statements and tick whether they are true or false.
True False
Diwali can be dated back to ancient times.
The festival happens at the time of the new moon.
In Nepal, Diwali honours the victory of Narakasura.
The first day of Diwali is known as Naraka Chaturdashi.

8. Think of another story you have read or heard where good wins over evil. Briefly describe
the story.
Various answers linked to good versus evil stories.

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