Diwali Worksheets
Diwali is India's largest and most commonly celebrated holiday. It is often referred to as Dipawali. The name comes from the clay lamps that many Indian nationals will light outside their home over the celebration. Worldwide nearly one billion people celebrate this holiday. The lights symbolize inner light that protects the families from darkness. The date of the celebration is based on Hindu lunar calendar, so the exact observation period changes every year. It often falls in in the month of October or November. The celebration is observed over five days. The holiday celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is considered the Hindi equivalent of Christian Christmas. These worksheets will explore the themes, traditions, and celebrations that are frequently associated with Diwali events. We include a great deal of vocabulary that may be new to children from North America. We encourage you to share this with students.
Learning For the First Time:
Dhanteras - The first day of the 5-day Hindu festival Diwali is called Dhanteras. The
word Dhanteras is composed of two Sanskrit words: dhan means wealth
and teras refers to the 13th day of the Hindu calendar. Circle all the objects below that you might buy on Dhanteras.
Draw a Collage - Ask students to create a drawing or a collage about Diwali.
Quick Facts - If you need a crash course in this holiday, this is the information you would want to know.
Puzzle Worksheets:
Word Search - Find the missing words in the puzzle. Use them to fill in the blanks.
Day Match - People of many faiths, including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists,
and Sikhs celebrate Diwali. Match each day of Diwali with the way it is typically celebrated.
Create a Rangoli - Rangoli is a very old art. Rangoli uses symbolic forms to both reveal
beauty and draw good fortune. Use shapes, lines or curves to connect the points to
create your own rangoli. Then color it in.
Language Arts Worksheets:
Cut and Learn - Color the diya. Trace the word. Write
the word. Cut and paste to put the
letters in order.
Read and Draw - Read the words. Draw pictures to go with the words.
What's a Diya? - It is also known
as the Festival of lights. In Sanskrit, the word "diwali" means
"rows of lighted lamps." One Diwali tradition is to light small
lamps called diyas as a way to remember that light triumphs
over darkness, and good triumphs over evil.
The Goddess of Prosperity - During Diwali, people leave their doors and windows open so
Lakshmi will come into their homes and bring them good fortune for
the upcoming year.
What is the Story of Diwali?
What is very interesting about this celebration is that every region of India has a slightly different series customs and traditions that relate to this period. There is a general consensus that the is related to the legend of an ancient gods. The northern parts of the country focuses on the story of Lord Rama who was sent into exile and returned to defeat Ravana. The Southern and Westernparts of the country focus more on gods of the Hindu trinity and their triumphs. Regardless of which god that they are honoring the holiday centers on the concept of good over evil and the thought of new beginnings.
There are generally five full days to the celebration. The first two days are seen as preparation days for the main day of the festival which occurs on day three. On the first day of the celebration most people clean their homes thoroughly to welcome the light in. It is also thought to bring good luck if you purchase a metallic kitchen object or a kitchen appliance, if funds allow you to do so. The third day is the main celebration day. At this time families gather together in one place and often perform a prayer called Lakshmi puja. This is a pray directed at the Goddess Lakshmi and it is followed by setting up dozens of clay lamps around the home. The family then will engage in a feast. After dinner, traditionally, many families will attend or perform firework displays. Though the fireworks have been scaled back over the years to reduce pollution in many of the country’s congested cities. On the fourth day it is considered the first day of the new year. At this time friends and relatives will meet and exchange gifts and wish each other the best. On the fifth day brothers will often visit their marries sisters who often prepare a sumptuous meal the family.