Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in India over 5 days. On the 3rd day, people light lamps and candles, perform Lakshmi puja for blessings, set off fireworks, and exchange gifts with family and friends. Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil according to Hindu scriptures. People clean their homes, make rangoli designs, light lamps, set off fireworks and celebrate with feasts on this joyous occasion.

1. Festival of lights

3.  Introduction
 History
 Significance
 Diwali gifts
 Rangoli
 Our school

4. Diwali is one of the biggest festival of
Hindus, celebrated with great
enthusiasm and happiness in India. The
festival is celebrated for five continuous
days, where the third day is celebrated
as the main Diwali festival. On this
auspicious day, people light up diyas and
candles all around. They perform Laxmi
puja and seek divine blessings of
Goddess of Wealth. People present
diwali gifts to all dear ones.

5.  Diwali dates back to ancient times in
India, as a festival after the summer
harvest in the Hindu calendar month
of Karthikai.
 The festival is mentioned in Padma
Purana, Skanda Purana and other
Sanskrit scriptures.
 The diyas (lamps) symbolically
represent parts of the Sun, the cosmic
giver of light and energy to all living
forms.

6.  Diwali is one of the happiest and
brightest festivals in India.
 People indulge in significant
preparations. They clean their homes
and decorate them for the festivities.
people buy new clothes for themselves
and their families, exchange gifts and
buy kitchen utensils.
 It is one of the biggest shopping
seasons in India.
 People create rangoli and other creative
patterns on floors, near doors and
walkways. They light the diyas and

7.  There is significant variation in
regional practices and rituals.
Depending on the region, prayers are
offered before one or more deities,
with most common being Lakshmi -
the Goddess of wealth and
prosperity.
 On Diwali night, fireworks light up
the neighbourhood skies. Later,
family members and invited friends

8. Giving gifts has always
been an important rituals
of the festival of Diwali.
As is customary, Diwali
gifts are an
acknowledgement of love
and affection that we
give to our loved ones.
After Diwali Puja and
befor e lighting the
crackers, gifts are

9. People buy gifts for family members
and friends which typically includes
sweets, dry fruits and seasonal
specialities depending on regional
harvest and customs. It is also the
period when little kids hear ancient
stories, legends, myths and battle
between good and evil, light and
darkness from their parents and elders.

10.  Rangoli is a folk art from India in which
patterns are created on the floor.
 using materials such as coloured rice,
dry flour, coloured sand or flower
petals.
 They are meant to be sacred welcoming
areas for the Hindu deities. The ancient
symbols have been passed down through
the ages.
 The purpose of rangoli is decoration,
and it is thought to bring good luck.

11. My school, St
mark’s Sr Sec
Public school, was
decorated
beautifully. A
colorful ‘rangoli’
was also made at
the reception.

13. Efforts By~
Pratishtha Verhwani
9th Grade
St Mark’s Sr Sec public
school, Meera bagh, New
delhi, India.