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CLASS 5                                                       Diwali Shopping Spree
                                                                   My mom told that we are going for shopping today,
                                                                   But I wanted to stay home since it was a holiday
                                                                   That's when I knew today was Diwali eve
                                                                   I ran to my room to get ready to leave
                                                                   I grabbed my coat and bag and socks
                                                                   And made sure I put all the locks
     Significance of Diyas, Lanterns, Rangoli and Sweets during Diwali.  I rushed to my car and opened the door
                                                                   My little brother was shouting indoors but tried my best to ignore
     Diwali  is  the  celebration  of  good  over  evil,  light  over  darkness  and  wisdom  over
     ignorance.  It  celebrates  Lord  Rama  and  his  wife  Sita  returning  to  Ayodhya  after  The supermarket was big with lots of shelves
     defeating Ravana the demon king of Lanka.A diya is an oil lamp used to light up homes  But I couldn't stop looking at people dressed like elves
                                                                   My mom filled the trolley with diyas, candles and matchsticks
     during the Diwali festival and it symbolizes prosperity and optimism. Colorful lanterns  And I helped her choose the flowers that smelled fantastic
     are made of paper, wood or plastic. As Diwali takes place on the night centering the  There were stacks of rangoli powder and a lot of small firecrackers
     Amavasya, the darkest night, people light diyas and lanterns to remove darkness and  And even one with a picture of a hacker
                                                                   My mom told me to grab some chocolates
     make way for light. Diwali is also referred as Deepavali, which means a row of lights,  So I thought of giving something that's special, what about candied
     therefore the lightning of the diyas and lanterns is one of the most important traditions  walnuts?
     during Diwali. Sweets make us happy . By offering sweets, Indians express love, respect  The only thing that was left was to buy some treats
     and  the  presence  of  others  in  their  life.  Many  mouthwatering  sweets  are  prepared  So I said to my mom, “Why not buy some sweets?”
     during  Diwali  such  as  Laddu,  Gulab  jamun,  Mysore  Pak  etc.  To  welcome  Goddess  She let me choose my favourite ones
     Lakshmi many people also decorate their doorways by drawing beautiful patterns on  I bought a dip with some buns
                                                                   But when I tasted it was quite sour
     the  ground  using  coloured  rice,  powder,  sand  or  flower  petals  known  as  Rangolis.    So my mom bought me a cake with a liquid you can pour
     Rangoli  is  thought  to  bring  good  luck.  Rangolis  are  usually  made  with  various  eye  It was better than I thought
     catching colours . As it is very colorful, it always denotes victory, prosperity etc. The  Except the liquid was too hot
     religious  significance  of  Diwali  varies  regionally  within  India.  One  tradition  links  the  When I reached home it was very late
     festival to legends in the Hindu epic Ramayana , where Diwali is the day Rama, Sita,  But my mom was very active and was watching a news debate
     Lakshmana, and Hanuman reached Ayodhya after a period of 14 years in exile after  That's when I knew my mom drank ten cups of coffee
                                                                   And ate twenty toffees
     Rama's army of good defeated demon king Ravana's army of evil. Throughout the epic,  Shopping for Diwali was quite fun
     Rama's decisions were always in line with dharma (duty) and the Diwali festival serves  I can't wait for the next one!
     as  a  reminder  for  followers  of  Hinduism  to  maintain  their  dharma  in  day  to  day  By-MANSA MAHESH
     life.According to the most popular tradition, Diwali is celebrated as the day Goddess  Class 5B, Indian Learners’ Own Academy.
     Lakshmi was born from SamudraManthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean of milk by
     the gods and demons. Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband on the night of Diwali, and
     the two were bonded in holy matrimony.
                                                                                                         CLASS 6
     Anamika T.K
     5-C
                                                                                                       My Favourite Festival
                                                                     THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS            Diwali,  one  of  the  most
                                                                     Diwali, also known as Deepawali is one of the most widely  awaited festivals of India is
                                                                     celebrated  and  largely  anticipated  festivals  in  India  and  soon going to arrive. Diwali
                                                                     among indian communities around the world. It is a time of  is  the  celebration  of  good
                                                                     joy,  unity  and  the  triumph  of  light  over  darkness.  The  over evil.
                                                                     festival’s  rich  history,  cultural  significance  and  vibrant  When I think about Diwali, it
                                                                     traditions, make it truly captivating and heartwarming.  reminds me of bright lights
                                                                     Historical Roots                  and   the   gifts   shared
                                                                     Diwali, which means “row of lamp finds its roots” in Hindu  between  people.  The  ritual
                                                                     mythology. It commemorates the return of Lord Rama, his  of exchanging gifts is an old
                                                                     wife  Sita  and  his  brother  Lakshmana  from  exile  after  tradition  in  India.  During
                                                                     defeating the demon king Ravana. To guide them home and  earlier  days,  when  Indian
                                                                     celebrate their return. People lit oil lamps and diyas. Over  households  were  solely
                                                                     time,  Diwali  has  evolved  into  a  multi-dimensional  festival  reliant  on  farming  and
                         Safety Measures while using Crackers        celebrated  by  various  communities,  including  Jains,  Sikh  rearing   of   cattle   for
     THE  FESTIVALOF LIGHTS   Using  crackers  is  fun  but  at  the  same  time,  it  can  be  and Buddhists, each with their own significance.   livelihood,  people  used  to
     With happiness to all  dangerous.  We  use  crackers  during  festivals  like  Diwali,  Festival of Light  exchange   their   farm
     And sorrow to none,  New  Year,  Christmas  etc.  The  bright  light  of  crackers  The hallmarks of Diwali is the illumination of homes, public  products.   Sweets   and
                                                                     spaces and temples with thousands of oil lamps, candles
     The festival of lights,  amazes us, but they also may cause harm to us and the  and  nowadays  colorful  electric  lights.  The  display  of  light  decorations made at home
     Diwali has come !   environment. They are also a disturbance to  nature.   represents  the  victory  of  good  over  evil,  knowledge  over  were also exchanged.
     The streets shine   Keep  a  safe  distance  while  bursting  crackers.  Wear  eye  ignorance and hope from despair. It creates a mesmerizing  Diwali is known as a festival
     With candles and light,  protection and don’t lean over the fire crackers. Applying  and enchanting atmosphere that is cherished by people of  of  prosperity,  love  and
                                                                                                       appreciation.  Diwali  gifts
     The festive lamps,  tooth paste is the best and easiest way to heal your skin if  all ages.       are  not  just  random  gift
     To all delight.     you  get  burns  by  bursting  firecrackers.    Do  not  throw  Unity in Diversity  items,   it   signifies   the
     The sweet smell of flowers   crackers at other people, even for fun. You must not wear  Diwali  is  not  limited  to  any  community  or  region.  It  connection  and  bonding
     The array of colours.  nylon  clothes  while  bursting  fire  crackers.  Wear  cotton  transcends  religious  and  cultures  boundaries.  It  is  a  time  between  them.  Any  gift,
     Diwali is here !    clothes only.                               when people come together, exchange greeting and share  small  or  big,  is  considered
     Firecrackers are heard  Use  crackers  only  outside.  These  are  some  safety  festive treats with neighbors and friends. The celebrations  blissful.  Being  connected  is
     Candles are lit,    measures you can follow and few precautions you must  of  Diwali  promote  unity,  understanding  and  respect  for  also  one  of  the  major
                                                                     diversity.
     Children play.      take while using crackers.                  Traditional rituals               aspects of this festival.
     Presents are given  It’s best if you don’t use crackers. I hope your Diwali may  During Diwali, families gather to clean and decorate their  This  festival  is  also  the
     We pray to the gods   be full of LIGHT and JOY and be careful with  fire crackers .   homes  after  creating  intricate  rangoli  designs  at  the  celebration  of  love  and
                                                                                                       harmony.  By  exchanging
     Diwali is here!     HAPPY DIWALI !                              entrance.  Special  prayers  are  offered  to  deities  and  gifts, the feeling of harmony
                                                                     traditional  sweets  and  dishes  are  prepared  and  shared.  and  love  is  built.  Dry  fruits,
                            Anushka Rajesh,  Deona Renjith           Fireworks and sparklers light up the night sky, adding to the  hangings,  idols  of  dieties,
                                                  5-C  5, Indian Learners’ Own Academy   magical ambiance.  chocolates  etc  show  good
                                                                     The triumph of goodness
                                                                     Diwali reminds us of the importance of goodness, kindness  wishes  and  appreciation
                                                                                                       towards people.
                                                                     and the enduring belief in the victory of light over darkness.  I  truly  believe  that  the
                                                                     It encourages reflection and renewal of our inner light.  exchange  of  gifts  during
                                                                     To discover the myriad colours, flowers and traditions that  Diwali  is  a  tradition  to  be
                                                                     make Diwali a truly extraordinary celebration, we will delve  respected  and  should  be
                                                                     deeper  into  the  rituals,  cultural  significances  and  regional  continued   by   future
                                                                     variations of Diwali and explore how this festival spreads  generations.
                                                                     joy and happiness.
                                                                                                       AVANTIKA P.S
                                                                     ZOHA ILLIYAS, Class 6,            Class 6 ,
                                                                     Indian Learners’ Own Academy.     Indian   Learners’   Own
                                                                                                       Academy.
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