Happy Diwali! Celebrating The Festival of Lights at The Olive Tree

Olivia Hughes

This week in Saplings we have been learning all about Diwali. Diwali is the festival of lights, which celebrates the Hindu New Year. 

We have been learning the Ramayana, the magical story of Rama and Sita. Our Saplings have learnt the story and have been acting it out to their friends and teachers. 

Hindus draw bright Rangoli patterns on the floor by the front door to welcome good spirits and healthy energy into their homes. Rangoli patterns are traditionally drawn using rice grains, flour, sand or chalk. Saplings have been using different media to create beautiful Rangoli patterns in our classroom and garden. We used homemade coloured powder, shapes, coloured pegs, collaged paper, paint and chalk. 

During Diwali, Hindus make clay Diya lamps which they decorate and light during the evenings. Light is significant in Hinduism because it signifies purity, goodness, good luck and power. The existence of light means the non-existence of darkness and bad energy. 

Finally, we lit our Diyas in assembly this week and taught all of our Primary friends about Diwali before dancing together… Bollywood style! 

HAPPY DIWALI!!