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Learning and celebrating together
This month at BestStart Taradale Young Children’s Centre we spent some time recognising and celebrating Diwali! It is also called Divali,Deepavali or Deepawali and is commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights and is becoming a regular celebration within New Zealand and our communities. The Festival of Lights celebrates the Hindu New Year. It is a celebration of light over darkness.
This festival can last up to five days. Diwali takes place every year in late October or early November depending on the cycle of the moon. The festival starts two days before the new moon comes up.
The name Deepavali originates from the ancient Indian Sanskrit language and means 'row of lights'. 'Dipa' means 'Light' and 'avali' is the word for ‘row’.
There are various legends that refer to the festival. Traditionally they all celebrate the victory of hope, happiness and peace.
Originally Diwali was celebrated as a harvest festival in India, but today Diwali is celebrated as the Festival of Light by Hindus all over the world.
This festival is celebrated with sparklers, firecrackers and fireworks are held in many places. Diyas are typically put up and displayed for light.
Thank you to Karen for sourcing the beautiful Sarees and setting up some lovely learning environments!