If you are educating children about the religions of the world then sooner rather than later you will probably be focussing on the Hindu beliefs and in particular looking at the Hindu celebration of Divali. You will need comprehensive resources for teaching about Divali which cover the social, religious and traditional importance of this most significant of festivals in the Hindu religious calendar.

Divali is a very significant Hindu family festival which occurs in October or November on an annual basis and is celebrated over 5 days. The specific date of the start of Divali changes each year as the particular date is worked out according to the orientation of the moon. According to Hindu reckoning, the date of Divali falls on the Fifteenth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik which is in the month of October or November in the Gregorian calendar. Divali begins on the 1st day of the new moon which is 20 days after the celebration of Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi. In 2010, as an example, the start of Divali falls on the Fifth day of November.
 
Divali is based upon many sentiments including the story of Rama and Sita. In the festival of Divali people tell the tale of how Sita was kidnapped by the ten-headed devil king Ravana. Hanuman the monkey king helped Rama to find Sita, fight Ravana and his army and free Sita. The festival involves celebrating their homecoming by welcoming them home with displays of lights.
 
Divali is sometimes referred to as the festival of lights. Deepvali is the Sanskrit word meaning rows of lights. The rows of lights symbolise the candles and lights put out to greet home Rama and Sita on a dark night after their trial in the forest. Some people light decorated candles, some decorate clay diva lamps and other decorative lights and place them in their windows for the festival. There are also firework displays and often a massive figure of the ten-headed Ravana is carried through the streets and eventually set alight.
 
Divali celebrates good conquering evil and light over darkness which are crucial sides of Hinduism and particularly the festival of Divali. Divali is also the start of the Hindu New Year and the festival is often used as a new start with people setting off upon a new path. To business people it means the end of the old business year and the beginning of another one. Old accounts are closed and new ones are opened.
 
Divali festivities start with worship followed by a celebration breakfast. Families don their best clothes. They wear their best jewellery and visit friends and relations. They typically exchange gifts and candy. There is a special Indian sweet made of coconut and these are shared out and given as gifts. Divali cards are sent to relatives and buddies wishing them a very content Divali. It is a time to forget quarrels and make up with people that they could have had disagreements with during the year. In the night many buildings are lit with little lamps in expectations that Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune, will look favourably on them.
 
Hindus prepare for Divali by cleaning and decorating their homes. They cook their favourite foods and make coconut candy. Many girls decorate their hands with  ‘Mehndi patterns ‘. Special designs called Rangoli patterns are painted at the entrances of houses to welcome Lakshmi. The Divali festival celebrations include much singing and dancing.