New
New
Year 3

Diwali in India and the UK

I can explain what Diwali is and how Hindu communities celebrate it in different ways.

New
New
Year 3

Diwali in India and the UK

I can explain what Diwali is and how Hindu communities celebrate it in different ways.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Diwali is a five day celebration observed by millions of Hindus in India and worldwide.
  2. The story of Lakshmi is told by some Hindus at Diwali as well as the Ramayana.
  3. Different Hindus may celebrate and remember different events during Diwali. This shows diversity.
  4. Many Hindus will use lights and create rangoli patterns to ask for blessings for the year ahead.
  5. Diwali will look and feel different in a Hindu majority country like India compared to the UK.

Keywords

  • Majority - the larger group of people or things

  • Minority - the smaller group of people or things

  • Diversity - doing things in a variety of ways

  • Lakshmi - the deity of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune

Common misconception

Diwali is celebrated in the same way everywhere in the world.

Diwali is celebrated by most Hindus. However, its celebration will vary according to geographical and cultural context.


To help you plan your year 3 religious education lesson on: Diwali in India and the UK, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You might want to look at video clips online and other sources to show how Diwali is celebrated. Look for other images from India to show how the whole country joins in. You might mention that Sikhs also mark Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas. Look for images of Diwali celebrations in Leicester.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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5 Questions

Q1.
Lakshman followed his dharma by choosing to help his , Rama.
Correct Answer: brother, Brother
Q2.
What is the Ramayana?
traditional recipes
a history book
Correct answer: an ancient Hindu story
Q3.
What does the word dharma mean?
Correct answer: doing what is right and good
being the fastest runner
having a big family
Q4.
Why did Rama go into the forest?
He was tired of the palace.
Correct answer: His stepmother asked the king to send him.
He wanted to go camping.
Q5.
What did Ravana’s 10 heads show about him?
He was very tall.
He had lots of hats.
Correct answer: He was very clever.

5 Questions

Q1.
Diwali is a celebration that lasts for days.
Correct Answer: five, 5, Five
Q2.
Which story might some Hindus remember during Diwali?
a birthday party
a trip to the zoo
Correct answer: the story of Rama and Sita
Q3.
What is Lakshmi the goddess of?
plants and animals
Correct answer: wealth and good fortune
clouds and rain
Q4.
What do Hindus make on the floor during Diwali?
Correct answer: rangoli patterns
birthday cards
snowmen
Q5.
Why is Diwali a bigger celebration in India than the UK?
India has more schools.
The UK has more snow.
Correct answer: More people in India are Hindu.