Diwali is a Hindu festival which is also known as the ‘festival of lights’. The celebration lasts for five days with the main festivities happening on the third night. The date of Diwali changes each year but is always sometime between mid-October and mid-November. It is linked to the lunar calendar, with the third night of the festival falling when there is a new moon.
The text within the resource pack explains to pupils in Year 5 or Year 6 what Diwali is and why it is celebrated. It also teaches what happens during this Hindu religious festival . A series of comprehension questions are included to check pupils’ understanding of what has been read.
The resource could be used in whole class, group guided reading sessions or as an independent reading activity and could be used as part of an RE lesson on Hinduism focusing on Diwali.
What is included in this KS2 comprehension pack?
- Diwali: The Festival of Lights text
- Diwali: The Festival of Lights comprehension questions and answer sheet
What is Diwali?
Diwali is a religious festival that takes place in the autumn. It is most widely associated with Hinduism but is also celebrated by Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains (an ancient Indian religion). It also often called the ‘festival of lights’ as rows of lights are strung up as part of the celebrations and diya lamps are lit.
Hindu deities and stories are remembered during Diwali and these vary from region to region. The most common involve Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and remembering the story of Rama and Sita.
National Curriculum programme of study links
ENGLISH
- Pupils should understand what they read by checking that a book makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.