Diwali

Where in the World is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated in India, It is also celebrated in many other countries in the world. Some of the people who live in India are called Hindus. Hindu people celebrate Diwali.

India is a country on the continent of Asia. It is the second largest country in the world in population. Much of India is a peninsula by the Indian Ocean.

What is Diwali?
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights.  It is the happiest and noisiest of all Hindu holidays! It is a festival that celebrates new beginnings in people's lives. It also celebrates joy and happiness. People spend time praying in their temples. They also spend lots of time visiting family and friends.

When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is not celebrated on the same day every year. It is celebrated in autumn in October or November. The celebration lasts for five days.

The weather in India is not the same because it is a big country. But in many places the weather is warm and sunny during Diwali.

Do people receive gifts during Diwali?
Families and friends give each other gifts during Diwali.  Some of these gifts are sweets, toys, and things made of silver, like jewelry.

How are homes decorated for Diwali?
Before Diwali begins, families make their houses very clean. They decorate with lots of flowers and paper chains. 

Many women make alpanas. These are signs made from rice powder. They are placed on the floor near the doors of their houses. The alpanas can be pictures of birds, insects or flowers. Many people think they will bring good luck.

The most important decoration during Diwali is a diya. This is a small oil lamp. It is made of clay. It burns mustard oil like a candle. Diyas are found everywhere in India during Diwali. They are in windows, gardens, roofs and streets. Many people believe that burning the lamps will bring them wealth.

What special food do people eat during Diwali?
Lots of snacks and sweets are eaten during Diwali. Loddoos are ball-shaped cookies made from chickpea flour. Gulab jamons are small balls made from a special kind of milk. Food and sweets are also taken to temples for the celebration. 

What are the five days of Diwali?
Diwali lasts five days. Each day of the festival has a different name. The first day is called Dhanteras.  This day honors the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.  The second day is call Kalichaudas. On this day they celebrate their freedom from evil. The third day is the festival of lights. On this day Indians celebrate their New Year. They light thousands of lights in the towns.

The fourth day is called Ballipratipada. On this day they honor an old king called King Bali. They celebrate by giving love and kindness to each other. The fifth day is called Bhai Bee. It is a day to respect women and girls in the family. Brothers and sisters promise to love and be loyal to each other.

What are other special traditions during Diwali?
There are always lots of fireworks during Diwali. Some people believe the fireworks will destroy evil. Another tradition during Diwali is to dress up in your best clothes. The clothes are always colorful and bright. And some people take special baths during Diwali. They use oils or perfume. They hope to wash away all the bad in their life.