divali/diwali

What is DIWALI?

DIWALI is a Hindu festival

What is Hinduism?

Hinduism is the religion of the

majority of people in India and Nepal. About 80% of the Indian population regard themselves as Hindu.

Most Hindus believe in a Supreme God

[Brahman], whose qualities and forms are represented by the multitude of deities which emanate from him.

Hinduism

Hindus believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived.

Hindus believe the purpose of life is to attain liberation (moksa) from the cycle of reincarnation

The main Hindu texts are

the Vedas and their supplements (books based on the Vedas).

Hinduism

Where?

Hinduism began here in India.

Hindu Traditions

rangoli

mendi

Celebrating Holi

BindiTraditionally, the bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu women. It symbolizes female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands.

Bindis are traditionally a simple mark the bindi is most commonly a red dot made with vermilion.

More recently, the bindi is often used as a decorative accessory and is worn by unmarried girls and non-Hindu women.

Om the most important symbol of Hinduism

Om (also spelled Aum) is a Hindu sacred sound that is considered the greatest of all mantras.

A mantra is a word, a syllable, a phrase or a short prayer that is spoken once or repeated over and over again (either aloud or in a person's head) and that is thought to have a profound spiritual effect on the person

As the most sacred sound, Om is the root of the universe and everything that exists and it continues to hold everything together.

Swastika

The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika, "all is well") The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been found worldwide, but it is especially common in India. Its name comes the Sanskrit word svasti (sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune, luck and well-being.

The swastika is most commonly used as a charm to bring good fortune (in which case the arms are bent clockwise), but it has a variety of religious meanings as well.

The Nazis adopted the swastika because it was understood as an Aryan symbol indicating racial purity and superiority.

Key Facts

In 2006 there were about 150,000 Hindus in Australia.

Hinduism is the third largest world religion with about 900 million Hindus worldwide. The religion dates back over 4,000

years.

Hinduism is made up of a variety of different religious beliefs and

practices which originated near the river Indus in India.

Hindus believe that life is a cycle of birth, death, and

rebirth, governed by

Karma.

Hindus believe in Brahman:the supreme being [or reality] The gods of modern Hinduism include

the chief gods Shiva, Vishnu and the Mother Goddess Shakti as well as a myriad of local community gods. ,

Holy Book [main]The Vedas.

Hinduism is third largest religion in the world

Spiritual Leader guru or sage

Place of Worship temple or home

shrine

But what about Diwali?

Diwali marks the start of the Hindu year the festival lasts for 5 days.

It is a time of new beginnings

It gives Hindus a chance to think about the past year and what they need to change.

What is Divali about?

Divali or Diwali is the Festival of Lights

Diwali is perhaps the most well-known of the Hindu festivals.

The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps'.

Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas

Celebrating DiwaliFor many Indians this five day festival honours

Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps are lit to help Lakshmi find her way into people's homes.

Hindus start the new business year at Diwali, and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year.

Celebrating Diwali

Also celebrated is one of the Diwali legends, which tells of the return of Rama and Sita to Rama's kingdom after fourteen years of exile.

Diwali FoodSweet Dishes are the most popular dishes of diwali.

Kheer is an Indian version of rice pudding which is especially popular at Diwali. It can be served warm or chilled.

Gulab Jamun are sweet softballs soaked in syrup.

Snacks - both sweet and savoury - are also prepared and eaten in vast quantities!

Diwali Gifts

Diwali sweets are made then given out to friends and neighbours. Dried fruits or flowers are also given as Diwali gifts when visiting, neighbours and relatives but in these modern times, the gifts are often rather more valuable such as jewellery, silk, leather or silver goods.

To welcome Goddess Lakshmi women and girls make a Rangoli at the entrance or near

the door on the morning of Diwali.

Rangoli

What can you remember??? Using what you can remember from the previous slide, try to fill in

your table

1. Approximately how old is Hinduism?

2. Where did it begin?

3. What is the festival of lights called?

4. Holy book [main]?

5. Place of worship?

6. What is the law governing life, death and rebirth?

Hindu key facts what can you remember?

Approximately how old is Hinduism?

Where did it begin?

What is the festival of lights called?

Holy book [main]?

Place of worship?

What is the law governing life, death and rebirth?

Hindu keyfacts answersApproximately how old is Hinduism?

4000 years

Where did it begin? India

What is the festival of lights called?

Diwali

Holy book [main]? Vedas

Place of worship? temple

What is the law governing life, death and rebirth?

karma