Aim

To appreciate Divali as a festival of welcoming.

Lesson

Begin by revising what was taught in the previous lesson about the Ramayana. The end of the story features the welcome return of Rama and Sita to their home.

Share an extended extract of this welcome home with the children.

Discuss welcoming with the children. When have they felt welcome or unwelcome? How can people be made to feel welcome at school or at home?

Divali is all about extending a welcome both to the New Year and to visitors. Explain how Hindu families decorate the entrances to their homes with rangoli patterns and banners.

Activity

Following discussion, groups of children could:

• design their own banners and rangoli patterns
• plan a welcoming policy for new pupils or visitors
• welcome a Hindu visitor to talk about their preparations for Divali.