Diwali – The Festival of Lights – Five Days of Diwali Celebrations #diwali2020

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Pip - Hey Rachel this looks so beautiful. What is it?
Rachel- Hi Pip this is called rangoli. People in India make this in their homes, specially during festivals, to bring good luck.
I went to my friend Ria’s place yesterday and saw her making rangoli with her mother. I learnt it there.
You know its Diwali season and all Indians are busy preparing for the festival.
Pip - Diwali the festival of lights isn’t it ? are there other types of rangoli too?
Rachel - Yes, rangolis are made of coloured powders, flowers, and beautiful rangoli stickers are also available in the stores.
Pip - But why is Diwali celebrated?
Rachel - Remember the story of Ram and Ravana I told you on Dussehra?
Pip - Yes, I remember, when the demon Ravana kidnapped Sita from the forest, and Ram Lakshmana and Hanuman pledged to get her back. They fought bravely with the army of Ravana and set Sita free.
Rachel - Correct. So as the courageous warriors and Sita reached their home in the city of Ayodhya, the city was lit with Diyas to welcome them. There were fireworks and celebrations all around.
Pip - But What are diyas?
Rachel - Diyas are small lamps made of clay, they come in beautiful designs. The word Diwali, means a row of diyas.
Pip - For all my friends who did not know this- Diwali means a row of diyas or lamps.
Rachel - Yes. Diwali is the symbol of the victory of good over evil, its tells us that the light of good actions always defeats the darkness of bad actions.
Pip - For how many days do the Diwali celebrations last?
Rachel - Well people start cleaning their homes, a week before Diwali.
Pip - Oh, that’s so much as they do during the Chinese New Year.
Rachel - Well Pip, the basic idea behind cleaning is to clear the litter to bring around positive energy.
Pip - I heard the Diwali celebrations are for 5 days. What happens on all those days?
Rachel - The first day of celebrations is called Dhanteras. It’s a day when people pray for good health. Usually, people buy gold, silver and precious stones, ornaments, new clothes, and utensils on this day, as it is thought to bring good luck.
Pip - That makes sense. We must take care of our health. Like these days, we must wear mask and maintain social distance to protect ourselves from coronavirus infection.
Rachel - Absolutely. The second day is called Choti Diwali, or Narak Chaturdashi. According to a legend, lord Krishna defeated a demon named Narakasur on this day. People decorate their homes with lights, Diyas and Rangoli.
Pip - Wow…lights, colours, crackers….its so exciting.
Rachel - Yes. It is. The third day is the main festival, the festival of Diwali. People offer prayers to the Goddess of wealth and Prosperity – Lakshmi, dress in their best clothes, light diyas and fire crackers.
Pip - Fourth Day called Govardhan is the day when people worship the Govardhan Hill, which gave food and shelter to people in old times.
Rachel - So that’s like thanking nature for giving us all the wonderful gifts, like food, water, sunshine.
Pip - Yes. That’s true, and we must not waste the natural resources like water, and keep the earth green and clean.
Rachel - The fifth day is celebrated as Bhai Dooj, a festival of brothers and sisters. They share good food together and pledge to protect each other.
Pip - Yes I remember, Bhai is a hindi word for Brother.
Rachel - That’s correct.
Pip- But the best part of Diwali celebrations is that we can enjoy feast for 5 days.
Rachel - Yes. Good food and lots of play . But don’t forget the message of Diwali…..spread light in the world with your small good deeds. Just like every diya or lamp gives light that brightens our home, the same way our small good deeds can make the world a better place.
Pip - That’s a wonderful message. Friends what do you say about that? From this Diwali lets promise to do our small good deeds
Rachel - And also keep the Earth Green and Clean
Pip - Yay….I will do that from today. And if you have also decided one good deed every day, then write to us about it.
Rachel - Lets spread the light of Goodness all around us.
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