What is Diwali?
Diwali is a very important
holiday in India.
It is a Hindu ‘festival of
lights’ which celebrates
the New Year.
The word Diwali means
‘row of lighted lamps’.
Celebrating Diwali
The festival usually honours
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Lamps are lit to help Lakshmi
find her way into people’s homes.
Diva lamp
Lakshmi
They also celebrate a Diwali
legend, the story of the return
of Rama and Sita to Rama’s
kingdom after fourteen years
of exile.
Celebrating Diwali
The festival is a time for:
• spring cleaning
• decorating the home
with lots of lights
• wearing new clothes
• exchanging gifts
• preparing festival meals
• putting on huge
fireworks displays
Hindu family praying
Celebrating Diwali
In India, Hindus leave the windows and doors of
their houses open so that Lakshmi can come in.
Lotus flower
Rangoli are drawn on the floors of the
house. These are patterns and the most
popular subject is the lotus flower.
The Meaning of Diwali
The festival celebrates 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:
Rama and Sita
•
In northern India, Diwali
celebrates Rama and Sita’s
return from exile.
•
In Nepal, Diwali
commemorates the victory of
Lord Krishna over the demon
king Narakaasura.
•
In Bengal, it is associated with
the goddess Kali.