World Food Day

Celebrated yearly by millions of people around the world and in multiple countries, including India, Fiji, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Singapore. Hindus, Sikhs and Jains come together for five days in Autumn to take part in the ‘Festival of Light’ known as Diwali, or Deepavali from the row (avali) of traditional clay lamps (deepa) that people light outside their homes to symbolise the victory of light over darkness or good over evil.

During the Festival of Light, people light small lamps and place them in houses, gardens, roofs and more. These are called diyas and light the way for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth to enter people's homes. Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark god Ram’s return to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana. Sikhs celebrate Diwali for slightly different reasons than Hindus. They still light oil lamps, but this is to light the way for Guru Hargobind to return home. Each of the five days of Diwali have different religious significance. 

It is a time for new beginnings and looking forward to the year ahead...for letting light into your life to bring hope and peace. It’s also an important time to get together as family and friends, exchange gifts, wear new clothes, enjoy the traditional sweet and savoury delicacies, decorate houses and spend time with friends and family and light fireworks. 

To greet someone in Hindi for Diwali, it’s best to say “Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein” or “Shubh Deepavali“. These both mean Happy Diwali.

Meanwhile, in Punjabi, it would be “Tuhanu Diwali diyan bohat bohat vadhaiyan“, and in Marathi it’s “Shubh Diwali“.

In Gujarati, the greeting is "Shubh Diwali"

“Deepavali nalvazhthukal” is the best way to greet someone in Tamil.

If you are in our school community and you celebrate Diwali, may your Diwali be full of joy, prosperity and abundance. Happy Diwali!