Celebrating Diwali at St. B’s


This week, St. Bernard’s boys learned about Diwali and participated in some of the traditional celebrations.  Diwali, commonly called the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in the fall by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.  The boys at St. B’s were lucky enough to have parents volunteer to teach them about the history of Diwali and participate in some of the festivities.

Kindergarten South had a visit from Vedica Q., Rowan’s mother, and Punya S., Dhruv’s mother.  The mothers read a story to boys, called Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!, and gave a brief overview of the holiday.  Then the boys enjoyed snacking on samosas before receiving a gift that included a clay diya, a tea candle, and a card explaining the history of Diwali.

The parents of Rohan, Ashi V. and Nita V., visited Ms. Flannigan’s grade I class.  They told the story of Lord Rama and Princess Sita, who were exiled for fourteen years until Lord Rama overcame a demon king.  People in Lord Rama’s kingdom lit diyas, oil lamps made of clay, and fireworks to celebrate their return.  The boys then painted their own diyas and snacked on mango lassi and parantha, flat bread stuffed with potato.

Ms. Gerish’s grade II students welcomed Sonya T., mother of Raana, who read a story to the class and shared a SMART Board presentation of photographs of a traditional Diwali celebration in India.  Then the boys painted diyas, which often adorn homes during the festival of Diwali.  Diyas symbolize knowledge, and when a person lights a diya, it signifies the submission of one’s soul to the supreme power while ridding oneself of materialism.

Anitha S., mother of Aman, and Reemah S., mother of Ishan, visited boys in Mr. Brady’s grade V class.  The boys learned about Diwali celebrations in different regions of India.  In northern India, the celebration commemorates the return of Lord Rama.  In eastern India, Durga, the wife of Shiva, is celebrated.  In southern India, people honor Lord Krishna, who defeated the evil demon Narakasura using a disc that looked like a chakra.  The common theme in all of these celebrations is good overcoming evil.  The boys especially enjoyed seeing an example of what an elephant might wear in a Diwali elephant procession.  They also enjoyed a trivia game in which golden chocolate coins were rewarded or lost, depending on the answer.

St. B’s extends a special thank you to all of the parents who took the time to teach the boys about Diwali and helped them participate in the festivities.
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