“Curious Yara: What is Deepavali and why people celebrate it” is a Deepavali story that explains the meaning of Deepavali and why people celebrate it. This story is more appropriate to introduce to older children due to its complexity.

Book Title: Curious Yara: What is Deepavali and why people celebrate it | A Deepavali Story

Author: Teacher Sherilyn

Central Topic/Theme: Deepavali, Indian culture

Summary

Yara asked her grandma “What Deepavali is and why people celebrate it”. Yara’s grandma explained to her the meaning of Deepavali and told her a story of Festival’s origin.

Questions to ask

1. What does Deepavali mean?
2. Why do some people celebrate it?
3. Who took Sita from Rama and Lakshman?
4. How did Rama defeat Ravana?
5. What did the people put on their windows to serve as light?

Extension activities

• Rangoli. Create a rangoli using colored rice. Watch the instruction here on how to color the rice and make a rangoli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDl67YgpyrI.
• Oil lamp using recycled materials. Make a “diya” or an oil lamp using empty yogurt cups. See this link for the instruction: https://teachersherilyn.com/2019/10/18/deepavali-art-and-craft-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR06PQdc8VubBnsT7Gv2Sn1PgdYwEArG-uKruCBG83sBq_2xS_IjZ07mJT8.
• Toran. “Toran” is a decorative element used by the Hindus to welcome the goddess of wealth. View the instruction how to make a “toran” in this link: https://teachersherilyn.com/2018/11/19/toran-making-for-preschool-children/.