After learning how to use Noodle Tools, students researched a holiday of their choice and wrote an informative essay.  We learned so much about many holidays that people have been celebrating for years.  Please take a moment to read a few of our showcased essays below…..

Diwali

By Taj

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is known as the Festival of Lights. The holiday is celebrated by Hindus across India. Diwali is the largest holiday in India that lasts five days. It was said that the holiday started from religious stories about the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is an ancient holiday that is full of traditions, culture, and celebrations.

Diwali is a very popular holiday in India that many people celebrate. The holiday dates back nearly 2,500 years ago. The festival is five days long and the date of the festival changes every year but is always in the fall. Diwali 2021 is very soon on November 4th. Diwali marks the start of the Hindu calendar. While Diwali is mainly celebrated by Hindus, other religions such as Buddhism, Jankism, and Sikhism use Diwali to mark special events in their history. Diwali is very popular with people all around India celebrating.

On each day of Diwali, families will do the special traditions each day. On the first day, the families will clean their homes and buy new kitchen appliances. On the second day, people will decorate their homes with clay lamps called Diya. On the third day, neighbors gather together and pray, called puma, and make a shrine to honor the gods and goddesses. On the fourth day, families will give gifts to each other. On the fifth and final day, brothers will visit their married sisters. Many families will gather and decorate their homes for the Festival of Lights.

Diwali may have started from a legend about Lord Rama and his wife Sita. Rama was the eldest of four boys, and he was destined to become king. Rama’s stepmother wanted her son, Bharata, to rule. Rama’s stepmother was promised two wishes she desired by her husband, the king. She demanded that Rama be banished for 14 years and Bharata be crowned. Rama agreed to show good faith to his father. Rama’s wife, Sita, begged to accompany him. After Bharata found out what his mother did, he pleaded with Rama to be crowned instead of him. Rama refused to go against his father and only would go after his sentence.  Later, the evil 10-headed king, Ravana, kidnaps Sita. Rama builds an army to kill Ravana and succeeds. It is said that people celebrate his victory by lighting up their homes. Now people celebrate by launching large fireworks.

People will celebrate Diwali by cleaning, giving gifts, and honoring gods and goddesses. All across India people will decorate and set off large fireworks. This ancient foreign holiday is celebrated all across India.