Diwali
Every Day is a Holiday
PRE-READING QUESTIONS
1. Which religion celebrates Diwali?
2. Have you heard of the goddess Lakshmi? What do you think she is the goddess of? Take a guess!
3. How do people typically celebrate New Year’s Eve?
PRE-READING VOCABULARY TASK
Match the words on the left to the definitions on the right.
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
1. lunar
2. unique
3. patterns
4. paste
5. customary
6. prosperity
7. untimely
8. preparation
9. financial
10. siblings
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
brothers and sisters
designs with a repeated form
a sticky, creamy material
related to the moon
wealth and growth
unlike any other
related to the making of money
usual, based on tradition or culture
not at a good time (e.g., too early)
the process of getting ready for something
Diwali – The Festival of Lights
The most joyful holiday in the Hindu calendar is Diwali, The Festival of
Lights. This is a five-day festival. It begins just before the New Year in the
Hindu lunar calendar. Each day of the festival is celebrated in a unique
way. On day one, families decorate their doorsteps or sidewalks with
brightly colored sand paintings. These patterns are called rangoli art. They
are often in the shape of lotus flowers. Rice paste is used to make tiny footprints in the patterns. Rows
of clay lamps are lit around homes and businesses. These decorations act as an invitation to Lakshmi, a
Hindu goddess. According to the Hindu tradition, Lakshmi brings wealth and good fortune to the homes
she visits. During Diwali it is customary to leave all windows and doors open so that the goddess of
prosperity can enter. The first day is also the time to pray for protection against untimely death. On
day two of Diwali, parents give children new clothes and jewelry. Everyone bathes in oil and relaxes in
preparation for the big day ahead. Day three is the main day of the festival. It is a day mixed with
prayer, sweets, and fireworks. This is India’s New Year’s Eve! It is also the last day of the financial
year. On day four, everyone wears new clothes and jewelry to the temple. The final day is a celebration
of siblings. Brothers and sisters pray for each other and exchange gifts.
Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.
1
Diwali
Every Day is a Holiday
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Which adjective is used to describe Diwali in the opening sentence?
2. Which day of the festival does the reading focus on the most?
3. Why do Hindus leave their windows and doors open during
this festival?
4. Why is it important to relax on day two of Diwali?
5. What happens on the final day of Diwali ?
VOCABULARY REVIEW ✍
Web 2.0 Optional Activity
Look at pictures of
rangoli art online.
Create some rangoli
art to put outside the
doorway of your
classroom. Take a
picture and share your rangoli designs
with ESL-Library.
[email protected]
A. Unscramble the word to complete the sentence.
1. The children drew a rangoli in tiorpeparan for Laskshmi’s arrival.
2. The tiny footprints in the lotus flower are made of rice tapse.
3. The last day of Diwali is a celebration for bsilngis.
4. It is tmucsoayr to leave all of your windows open during Diwali.
5. The Festival of Lights is a queiun holiday celebrated in the Hindu faith.
B. Are the following words or phrases synonyms or antonyms? Write your answer next to each pair.
1.
patterns / designs
_____________________
2.
paste / glue
_____________________
3.
untimely / convenient _____________________
4.
wealth / prosperity
_____________________
5.
customary / unique
_____________________
The lights of Diwali symbolize an
important concept: awareness of
one’s inner light. During Diwali,
good wins over evil. Does your
culture or religion have a similar
festival or holiday?
CLASS DISCUSSION
1. Some Hindu people fear Diwali is becoming too commercialized. Which other holidays have shopping and gift
buying as the main event?
2. Playing cards for money is a popular activity during Diwali. Do you and your friends or family gamble during
holidays or festivals?
3. Does your culture or religion have a unique art form? Can you describe an example?
Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.
2
Diwali
Every Day is a Holiday
Answer Key
Lesson Description: In this lesson, students learn about Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. They read about this
holiday, discuss it, practice related vocabulary, and have the option of doing a rangoli art Web activity.
PRE-READING VOCABULARY
1. d
2. f
3. b
4. c
5. h
6. e
7. i
8. j
9. g
10. a
COMPREHENSION
1. The word “joyful” is used to describe the holiday in the introduction. It is also described as “unique.”
2. The reading focuses mainly on the first day of the holiday.
3. Hindus leave their windows and doors open to attract Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
4. It is important to relax on day two in preparation for New Year's Eve.
5. On the final day of Diwali, brothers and sisters pray for each other and give each other gifts.
VOCABULARY REVIEW
A. Unscramble
1. preparation
2. paste
3. siblings
4. customary
5. unique
B. Synonyms or Antonyms
1. synonyms
2. synonyms
3. antonyms
4. synonyms
5. antonyms
Spelling Note: The text and tasks show the American spelling of the words Colored and Jewelry. Most other English-speaking
countries spell these words this way: Coloured and Jewellery. Make it a challenge for your students to find these words in the lesson
and see if they know the alternate spellings.
Check Out our Weekly Blog!
Interested in teaching tips and new ideas? Read our weekly blog at: www.redriverpress.com/news
Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.
3