What is Diwali? - 91�ȱ� Bitesize

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps'.

Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called 'diyas'.

When is Diwali?

Diwali always falls some time between October and November, but the exact date varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon.

In 2024, Diwali is on Friday 1 November.

What is the story of Diwali?

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Long ago there was a great warrior prince called Rama. He was married to a beautiful princess called Sita.
Image caption,
An evil king called Ravana lived near them. He had ten heads and twenty arms!
Image caption,
Ravana wanted to make Sita his wife, so he kidnapped her and flew off with her in his chariot.
Image caption,
Rama realised that Sita had been kidnapped, so he tried to look for her. He met the monkey god Hanuman in the forest.
Image caption,
Hanuman agreed to look for Sita. He eventually found her imprisoned on the island of Lanka in a beautiful garden.
Image caption,
Hanuman gathered his monkey army and they prepared to battle Ravana.
Image caption,
Rama and Hanuman began to battle Ravana, but it was a huge battle and it seemed like Ravana would win...
Image caption,
...however Rama produced a magical golden arrow and fired it at Ravana. It hit him in the chest.
Image caption,
With Ravana defeated, Rama and Sita were reunited!
Image caption,
Rama and Sita returned home at night time. They found that all of the villagers had lit lamps to guide them home. This is why Hindus light lamps on Diwali!

Bitesize - KS2 Religion - Diwali rangoli — Image caption,
During Diwali, people also make patterns called rangoli from colourful materials like powders and pastes.

How is Diwali celebrated?

For many people this five day festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps are lit and windows and doors are left open to help Lakshmi find her way into people's homes.

Other ways that Hindus celebrate the festival include:

Spring-cleaning the home
Wearing new clothes
Exchanging gifts (often sweets and dried fruits) and preparing festive meals
Decorating buildings with fancy lights
Huge fireworks displays

Can you rearrange this puzzle?

Resources for teachers

Looking for more teaching resources? 14-year-old Simran and her 11-year-old brother Vraj explain the traditions and beliefs of their Hindu faith in this series of short films.

91�ȱ� Teach has thousands of free, curriculum-linked resources to help deliver lessons - all arranged by subject and age group.

91�ȱ�

When is Diwali?

What is the story of Diwali?

How is Diwali celebrated?

Can you rearrange this puzzle?

Resources for teachers

More on Hinduism