Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights
Fireworks are often part of Diwali celebrations. Diwali means “rows of lighted lamps” and the celebration is known as the Festival of Lights.” People create rows of lights to commemorate heroes in Indian mythology who have triumphed over evil. New clothes are worn because Diwali represents the renewal of life. Diwali is celebrated for five days. Small oil lamps called diyas are lit in homes, gardens, outside walls, etc. India is home to many religions, and there are varied and unique versions of how and why Diwali is celebrated in different regions. After that introduction, I began discussing Diwali with my Montessori students. It follows the lunar calendar, and takes place on the fifteenth day of Kartika (the Hindu month that corresponds with October/November). Gifts and sweets are exchanged and festive meals are shared. They really enjoyed comparing Diwali to other cultural celebrations, and were delighted to find some similarities to ones they were more familiar with, like Hanukah. In addition to lighting diyas, homes are cleaned and windows are opened. Diwali Activities for the Montessori Classroom
Make a Hindu calendar and compare it to the Gregorian calendar. Diwali is also a Sikh and Jain celebration. Find some at http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-recipes.html
Diwali Books for the Montessori Classroom
Lighting a Lamp: A Diwali Story, by Jonny Zucker and Jan Barger Cohen
The Story of Divaali, by Valmiki, Jatinder Verma, and Nilesh Mistry
Diwali, by Trudi Strain Trueit
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Diwali: With Sweets, Lights, and Fireworks, by Deborah Heiligman
Diwali (Celebrations in My World), by Kate Torpie, Chester Fisher, and Susan Labella
Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights, by Preszler and June
Lights For Gita, by Rachna Gilmore and Alice Priestley
Indian Children’s Favourite Stories, by Rosemarie Somaiah and Ranjan Somaiah
Diwali Resources for the Montessori Teacher
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/hinduism/diwali.shtml
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/diwali.htm
North American Montessori Center: http://www.montessoritraining.net/ Diwali is also a time for renewal and new endeavors. It honors the approaching winter and the start of sowing season. Rama’s return from exile is celebrated in northern India and elsewhere. Invite a Hindu community member to your Montessori classroom to talk about Diwali and share artifacts, photographs, and traditions. Bengal associated Diwali with the goddess Kali. I must confess that I had not heard of the festival of Diwali until I viewed a television program episode that featured it. Gujarat honors Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) with Diwali, and Nepal celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakaasura (the demon king). Organize a school-wide cleaning to honor the cleaning of homes that take place during Diwali. As a class, cook Diwali recipes.
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