Diwali - The Hindu 'fesitval of lights'

The word Diwali means 'row of lighted lamps' and it is a very important holiday in India. The festival usually honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps are lit to help Lakshmi find her way into people's homes. The also celebrate a Diwali legend, the story of the return of Rama and Sita to Rama's kingdom after fourteen years of exile.

Today in Class 3, we reinacted the story of Rama and Sita using masks and a play script. The story goes like this:

One upon a time there was a great warrior, Prince Rama who had a beautiful wife named Sita.

One day, Rama and Sita were banished from their home by the King. Rama’s brother, Lakshmana, joined them in exile.

Lived nearby was a terrible demon king, Ravana. He had ten heads and twenty arms, and was feared throughout the land. One day he kidnapped Sita and took her away in his chariot. Clever Sita left a trail of her jewellery for Rama to follow.

Rama and Lakshmana followed the trail of glittering jewellery until they met the monkey king, Hanuman, who became their friend and agreed to help find Sita. Messages were sent to all the monkeys in the world who set out to find Sita.

After a long search, Hanuman found Sita imprisoned on an island. The army of monkeys couldn't reach the island, so they began to build a bridge. Soon all of the animals of the world, large and small, came to help. When the bridge was built, they rushed across it and fought a mighty battle.

When Rama killed the evil Ravana with a magic arrow, the whole world rejoiced.

Rama and Sita were reunited and they began their long journey back to their land, and everyone lit lamps to guide them on their way and welcome them back.

Ever since, people light lamps at Diwali to remember that light triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.

 

Take a closer look at our photos in our photo gallery!