During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned, windows are opened and diyas are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. In urban areas candles or electric lights are often substituted for diyas. During Diwali, gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians. There are many regions in India with many different versions of the Diwali festival.

The festival of Diwali is often celebrated with huge firework displays and the exchange of sweets. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country.

In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama's return from fourteen years of exile to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his subsequent coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; in Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali.

Everywhere that it is celebrated, Diwali signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival. It also heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.

Diwali is also a Sikh festival. It particular it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind, in 1619. Sikhs had celebrated Diwali for many years before that and the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577.

In India, children have a holiday from school. Presents are given and delicious holiday food is prepared and exchanged. New clothes and jewellery are worn. Parties are held, and card games are played. Fireworks and firecrackers are set off to keep away evil spirits, so it is a noisy holiday too!

The last day of the holiday is a special day for brothers and sisters; it is called Bhaiya-Dooj. Brothers give special presents to their sisters, who cook for them and look after them.

Let's celebrate Diwali at Peterbrook by enjoying some activities together

Activity 1 : Rangoli

A rangoli is a colourful design made on the floor near the entrance to a house to welcome guests. At Diwali, Hindus draw bright Rangoli patterns to encourage the goddess Lakshmi to enter their homes.

The patterns are traditionally drawn with the fingers using flour, rice grains or coloured chalk.

Rangoli can be square, rectangular or circular – or a mix of all three. They are often symmetrical. Rangoli motifs are usually taken from nature - peacocks, swans, mango, flowers and so on.

Rangoli were originally done in small patterns of about 1 metre square, but now entire areas of floor can be covered in intricate designs, often produced by first drawing gridlines in light chalk. Why not have a go in school or at home! Below you can see some rangoli created in previous Diwali festivals - it's fun!!

  
Make your own simple rangoli design or perhaps you would like to print-off this more challenging one!!

Even the youngest children will enjoy creating their own chalk rangoli designs. First, use a white chalk to outline your patterns, or to draw dots to form a grid. Then use coloured chalks or sand to fill in the design. Chalk works well on pavements/tarmac/playground surfaces. It also looks effective on black paper (see above).

Activity 2 : Diwali Colouring-in Pictures