We had a wonderful day celebrating Diwali in our school on November 4th. The Indian children came dressed in their beautiful outfits and we all gathered in the junior yard for our Diwali parade. It is a very exciting and colourful holiday for Hindus all over the world. Homes are cleaned to welcome the New Year and windows are opened so that the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, can enter. It is believed that she cannot enter a house which is not lit up, so every household burns special Diwali clay lamps (diyas) to light the way for the goddess, which is why the holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights.
Lots of teachers and SNAs hung lights in their classrooms as Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Children designed Rangolis and they learned about the story of Sita and Rama.
The hindus buy new clothes, bake traditional sweets, light sparklers and exchange gifts with family and friends.