Diwali

The History of Diwali...

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Rooted in Hindu tradition, it often commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. People lit oil lamps to mark his return, symbolizing victory. Diwali also honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and marks the start of the financial year in parts of India. The festival has expanded to include various communities, each with its own traditions.

Learn about Diwali with these great activity ideas...

Diya Decorating – Have children paint and decorate clay diyas (lamps) to represent the light of Diwali. You could also use air dry clay to create the diyas that you can then decorate!

Rangoli Art – Let students create their own Rangoli designs using coloured chalk, sand, or paper cut-outs. We have some great Rangoli mega stencils that you could use too.

Traditional Indian Dance – Get on your feet and teach children simple moves from Indian classical dance styles to celebrate the festival.

Diwali Food Tasting – Introduce children to traditional Diwali sweets like ladoos and barfi, and discuss their cultural significance.

Diwali Lantern Craft – Make paper lanterns to hang in the classroom, symbolizing the light of the festival - these make stunning displays!

Diwali Word Search – Create a word search with key Diwali vocabulary (see below if you want some inspiration!).

Henna Art – Use paper hand templates and markers to teach students about traditional henna patterns and let them design their own.

Key Diwali Vocabulary

We've lit up a dazzling list of key vocabulary that will help little learners shine in their Diwali discussions...

Rangoli – Colourful patterns made on the floor using powders, rice, or flowers.

Diyas – Small oil lamps, typically made of clay.

Lakshmi – The Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Rama and Sita – Central characters in the Ramayana, whose return from exile is celebrated during Diwali.

Festival of Lights – Another name for Diwali, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.

Puja – A religious ceremony or prayer.

Sweets – Traditional treats shared during the festival, like ladoos and barfi.

Fireworks – Used to celebrate Diwali and symbolize joy and the victory of good over evil.

New Year – Diwali marks the start of the Hindu New Year for some regions in India.

Exile – The time Rama and Sita spent in the forest, important in the Diwali story.

Celebration – The act of rejoicing and marking the festival.

Mehndi – Henna designs traditionally worn during festivals.