Report on Diwali Celebration in School

 

Diwali Celebration in School

“Diwali is not just a festival but way of celebrating the true homecoming, welcoming your true-self to your mind, body and soul.”

 

Introduction:

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights. The five-day-long festival of lights begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik.

According to Ram devotees, on the day of Deepawali, the king of Ayodhya returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana, the tyrannical king of Lanka. Even today people celebrate this festival in the joy of their return. The people of Krishna Bhaktidhara believe that on this day Lord Krishna killed the tyrannical king Narakasura.

 

History of Diwali Celebration:

Diwali is India's most important festival of the year - a time to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.

During the time of Chandragupta and Chanakya, a festival called Kaumudi was celebrated on a large scale in Pataliputra. During this, lamps were lit on the banks of water bodies and in boats. According to the Gupta texts, this Sharad festival was celebrated on the full moon day. Then the Diwali festival was a festival from full moon to new moon.

According to Jain tradition, this practice of lighting a lamp first began on the day of Mahavira's Nirvana (Salvation) in 527 BCE, when 18 kings who had gathered for Mahavira's final teachings issued a proclamation in memory of "the great light, Mahavira". Light the lamp.

Those who follow the Sikh religion celebrate the guru Hargobind Singh’s release from prison in 1619, but people celebrated Diwali long before this. This is known as ‘Bandi Chorr Diwas’, which translates to ‘the day of liberation’.

School Report on Diwali Celebration:

Dance Drama:

The Columbus School organized a special class assembly (Classes-9^th to 12^th) on the significance of the Diwali festival. Through an interesting Dance Drama ‘The Grand Coronation of Lord Rama’ the students learnt about the events which occurred in the life of Lord Rama right from birth to killing the demon Ravana, returning to Ayodhya and resuming the throne after the forest exile. The students deeply understood the lessons and the values which are imparted by the ideal character of Lord Rama. The drama represented Lord Rama as a faithful and dutiful son, brother, husband and king. It depicted his dedication to hold to the righteous path and never choose to do wrong or unjust even though there were a lot of hardships and difficulties at various instances in life. An important lesson that good always wins over evil is also conveyed through the drama. The students also enjoyed the dance performance which added joy and fervour to the Diwali celebration.

Rangoli Making Competition:

Rangoli is a form of art that families leave on their doorsteps on Diwali. This is done to invite Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, into their homes. Some families also light diyas & candles and leave their doors open to welcome the goddess.

A Rangoli Making Competition was organized for classes 6^th to 8^th in school to hone creative talent of the students. Rangoli designs were made with different mediums- coloured rice flour & coloured wooden powder, sand, pebbles, coloured confetti, squares of paper, gulal & flowers etc.

Chhau Dance:

Diwali celebrations involves not only watching the beauty of colourful lights explode in the sky, but also traditional dancing. A ‘Chhaow’ Dance was performed by the artists from Spic & Macay based on the theme- Mahishasur Mardini- Durga.

Diwali Cooking Festival:

The Home Science Department of the school organized Diwali Culinary Festival (House-wise). The students & teachers cooked special dishes- kheel (puffed rice), chhole, poori, gulab jamuns, rice kheer, veg biryani, laddoo, jalebi, shahi paneer, dal makhni etc. It was served to the students of classes- Nursery to 5^th.

Diwali Paper Lanterns, Diyas & Candles:

The Art & Craft Department of the school organized a Diwali Lanterns, Diyas & Candles Making Competition for classes- 4^th to 5^th. The students learnt & made diyas, candles & paper lanterns and coloured them too.

Diwali Puppet Making & Puppet Show:

The Librarians & the Art & Craft Department organized for Classes- 1^st to 3^rd a Puppet Making & Puppet Show based on the theme- Shri Ram’s Life Story & Narkasur’s killing by Lord Krishna & Mahisasur’s killing by Goddess Durga.

Donation Drive:

A Donation Drive was organized by the Eco Club of the school. The teachers, students, their parents & even the school visitors donated clothes, toys, eatables, fruits, books or money etc. in the Donation Box. This charity was later given to a nearby NGO.

 

Conclusion:

The festival of Deepawali is the pride of Indian culture, as Deepawali is the festival of lights and Diya is a symbol of light and removes darkness. Apart from the light in our life, this lamp is also a life lesson for us, it is also a means of subsistence.

 

Celebrate Safe Diwali to breathe safe and clean. Celebrate safe Diwali to keep the environment clean and green. Have a safe Diwali to be healthy, prosperous and happy. Do not crack crackers on Diwali, break your bad habits. Celebrate eco-friendly Diwali not pollution-friendly.