SIMRAN: Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Light.
CROWD: Five four three two one… Switch on!
SIMRAN: Diwali celebrates light over darkness and the hope that good will happen. So diwa meaning light and the libit is the whole row of lights. And the whole point is you must actually have light in your life to see anything and to move anywhere.
SIMRAN: At Diwali we remember the story of Rama and Sita who were sent away for 14 years and the celebration that took place when they returned.
BHARTI: The whole of the kingdom decides 'This is our time to rejoice, so let's light it up.' But it doesn't stop there. The whole meaning for human beings is if you let God into your life then it is going to be lit up.
SIMRAN: Diwali is celebrated every year in the autumn. It marks the start of the Hindu New Year and we celebrate a new beginning. We spring-clean our homes wear new clothes and exchange gifts. My brother Vraj and I are busy getting ready.
VRAJ: The worst chore is probably cleaning the hob. I don't really mind sweeping the floor up.
It came off.
In Diwali it's important for Hindus to clean cos we have visitors coming round and we want to make a good impression of ourselves.
I'm going to show you what we're going to wear.
Our newest clothes. That is what I'm going to wear. And that is what Vraj is going to wear.
There you go. Done.
And this is how Vraj looks.
SIMRAN: As well as friends and family we hope Lakshmi the goddess of wealth will visit. We want her to bless us with good fortune for the year ahead. To invite Lakshmi into our home we decorate our doorsteps with rangoli patterns. It's fun because it's just like colouring but actually we're spraying with our own hands instead of using the book or the crayon. When Lakshmi comes she would see our artwork and she would be impressed with it hopefully if we've done it good.
SIMRAN: To guide Lakshmi into our homes we light candles. Most people would keep their doors wide open to say that 'Cos you're the god of wealth and cos we love you loads you can just step inside like it's your own home and you don't need to knock on the door or anything. It's your house. You can just walk in.'
At Diwali homes and streets are decorated with rows of lights. It's an exciting time. I meet with my family and friends and the Hindu community comes together in a huge celebration. The fireworks are used in Diwali because of the light and how bright they shine.
CROWD: Ooh!
My hopes for the New Year would be to be a better person. To get my grades. Also share with others. Behave nicely… Take care of people not only me. …and hopefully keep my mood right!
ALL: May the moon shine brightly on your house tonight! Happy New Year!
Vraj, who’s 11, and 14-year-old Simran are getting ready for Diwali, the Hindu festival of light which takes place every autumn.
They are cleaning their house, and have laid out their best new clothes to wear. Diwali means “row of lights”, and celebrates the story of Rama and Sita’s return home from 14 years of exile.
It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.
The children will welcome lots of visitors and give and receive presents.
They also make artistic rangoli patterns and place them outside their front door to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
The houses and streets are decorated with lights, and we see the children at a firework display and dance show with their parents and friends.
Vraj and Simran talk about their hopes for the year ahead, and ways in which they can become better people.
This is from the series: My Life, My Religion - Hinduism
Teacher Notes
The clip emphasises some of the spiritual meanings suggested in the festivities.
Here are 9 examples for the teacher to pick out with pupils.
This is our time to rejoice, so let’s light it up!
If you let God into your life then it is going to be lit up!
We are celebrating new beginnings!
We hope Lakhsmi, the goddess of wealth, will visit.
We want her to bless us with good fortune for the year ahead.
It's fun. It’s an exciting time.
People keep their doors wide open to welcome Lakshmi, to say to the goddess ‘we love you loads, you could just step inside like it's your own home’.
I meet with my family and friends, and the Hindu community comes together.
It’s time to express hopes for the new year: My hopes for the new year would be to be a better person, to get my grades, to share with others, to behave nicely, to take care of others, not only me, to keep my mood right.
You must have light in your life to see anything and to move anywhere.
These clips will be relevant for teaching Religious Education at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and First and Second Level in Scotland.
Celebrating the festival of Holi. video
This short film explains why Hindu children throw paint and have bonfires at Holi, which is a spring festival, and explains what the celebrations are like in Leicester.
A Hindu wedding ceremony. video
Nikki and Hemal celebrate their marriage in Hindu style.
A Pilgrimage in Hinduism video
Hindu pilgrimages are many and varied. Simran and Vraj describe their experiences.
The Cycle of Birth and Rebirth. video
Hindus believe life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Meeting two young British Hindus. video
Simran, aged 14, introduces herself and her Hindu religion. Her brother Vraj is 11.
Celebrating Raksha Bandan. video
Sisters tie a Rakhi to their brothers’ wrists to celebrate their love for their family.
Inside a Hindu Temple. video
This short film explores Hindu religion through worship described by 11 year old Vraj. Striking visuals show what happens at a Hindu temple.
