reading comprehension about the Hindu festival

1. Diwali: the festival of light

2. Working scheme
What is Diwali and why are we studying it?
Getting some information
Let's get talking
Further information

3. What is Diwali and why are we studying it?
Diwali is one of the most
important hindu festivals. It
is important to remember
that English is a language
spoken all over the world,
and India is one of this
countries.

4. Read the text and answer the following questions
What is Diwali also known as?
How did Diwali originate?
How long does Diwali last?
What do people do to their houses on the first day of Diwali?
Whom is the second day of Diwali dedicated to?
When do people light up the entrances to their homes?
What gifts are given on the fourth day?
Who visits whom on the fifth day?

5. Diwali
Diwali is the most important Hindu festival. The festival is a celebration of out with
the old and in with the new.
It originally celebrated the return to India of one of its gods. Rama, had spent many
years away fighting evil. To help him find his way back home, his kingdom was
illuminated with millions of lights. The lights of Diwali have symbolised the
triumph of good versus evil ever since. Today the festival is dedicated to several
hindu gods and godesses.
There are five days of celebrations. On the first day, the houses are cleaned and
the doorsteps are decorated with chalk designs called rangolis. This is to
welcome Lakshmi, the godess of wealth. The second day is dedicated to
Krishna. People bathe and dress in new clothes and jewellery. The third day is
called Diwali. The entrances of the houses are decorated with lights. It is then
that Lakshmi visits the houses. It is the last day of the financial year, so a good
time to go shopping or to start a business. The fourth day is New Year's Eve.
Families get together and eat sweets and dried fruit. They go to the temples to
pray and the gods are decorated with gold and flowers. The fifth day is the day of
the family. Men visit their sisters and have the traditional tika – red spot- on their
foreheads to make them strong.
Then Diwali ends for another year. After five days of celebration it is time to return

6. Let's get talking
Discuss the questions in small
groups.
a. Are there any festivals or
celebrations similar to
Diwali in your country?
b. Think of some festivals or
celebrations in your
country. Are there any
specific traditions or
activities that you do on
certain days?

7. Further information
If you feel curious about this festival, check out these links:
http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/diwali1.html
http://www.schoolsite.edex.net.uk/49/diwali.htm
http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/diwali1.html