The Beginner's Guide to Navratri & Diwali

The Beginner’s Guide to Navratri & Diwali

Contents

Introduction....................................................... 2

About OM Group.............................................. 3

Events Calender............................................... 4

Guide to Navratri.............................................. 5

Guide to Diwali................................................. 7

Festive Word Search........................................ 9

Delicious Cookery Corner................................. 10

Rangoli Designs & Patterns.............................. 11

Navratri & Diwali Event Details..........................13

www.om-unity.com [email protected]

Introduction

OM Group (OM) and The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) are very proud to present you with this learning resource which provides information related to the auspicious Hindu festivals of Navratri and Diwali, two of the largest celebrated festivals in the world!

OM has progressed far and wide over the past twelve years and we have you, the community, to thank for it. Our team has been working hard to unite the community in different ways, whilst also sharing teaching and learning experiences with individuals and other groups in the community.As a result of our hard work over the past few years, we are a recognised registered charitable organisation, which has led the way to working with bodies ��

HLF have not only supported the funding of this learning resource, but also contributed towards the organisation of events in Luton related to Navratri and Diwali whilst also helping OM provide interactive workshops to local schools and community groups/organisations.

This learning resource aims to provide you with information which is interesting, fun and intended to give you an appetite to learn more. We also have an electronic version on our website (www.om-unity.com) which is more interactive, has more games and recipes and also gives you links to access resources to learn even more.

For more information of any other activities that OM organise or upcoming events in our calendar, you can become a member anytime (Membership is free!) by completing the enclosed form within this booklet, or visit www.om-unity.com to download one for you, your friends and family.

I wish you all a Happy Navratri and Happy Diwali!

Vikas AcharyaChairperson, OM Group

www.om-unity.com 2 [email protected]

About OM Group

OM is a Luton based charity that aims to unite the community through social, sporting, educational and cultural events. In our twelfth year, our strong � ��

In 2000, four like-minded, young individuals had a vision of uniting the community. �� "#�� throwing) event and from there OM was born. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and with the hard work, passion and dedication of many individuals, OM has gone from a youth group to an established charity, with a remarkable reputation far beyond the living room headquarters it began in.

Over time, OM has organised events and excursions for the local community to celebrate festivals, socialise and develop community cohesion. As time has gone on, OM’s vision has extended to encourage the community to carry out ��$�� "%��'*�� works to appeal to people of all ages, genders and nationalities and encourages them to get involved with all that OM has to offer. As OM moves forward with new ideas, members and events, it stays true to its roots and will always strive to bring unity in the community.

� �� +�� membership form to keep up to date. Image below: Holi Celebratons (Spring festival)


Events Calendar

Here is an overview of our events during this jam packed year! If you would like to participate in any of these events simply complete the free membership form and we’ll keep you informed of these and many more events throughout our calendar.

June � ��Summer Excursion - Fancy a day trip to kick start the Summer? From Theme Parks to educational and cultural excursions.

July � ��OM presents “Jungle Book” in the Luton International Carnival

August� ��Summer Camping Adventure

��Janmashtami themed peace walk in Bedfordshire – to share and learn whilst walking on a beautiful planned walk

September ��Archery Classes

��Education & Careers Workshop

October� �� %��6�8� ��%�$��%��;�<�� Hospice and many more locations across the Bedfordshire

��Navratri Celebrations @ the brand new Inspire: Luton Sports Village, don’t forget your Dandia!

November ��The biggest Diwali Celebrations coming to Luton More info out soon!

December� ��OM Celebrates Christmas!

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Guide to Navratri

Navratri can be translated to “nine nights,” and is one of the largest festivals in the Indian calender. Like Diwali, it also symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Navratri takes place at the beginning of October around harvest time and, as the name implies, this festival is celebrated for nine days followed by a tenth day known as Dusshera.

During Navratri, people all over the world worship to many of their Goddesses including Durga, Ambe, Lakshmi and Saraswati over the 9 days.

Durga, the Mother GoddessThe festival is dedicated to Durga, the mother goddess who represents power. Durga annihilated the demon Mahishasura after a relentless battle lasting nine days and nights.

Image Above: Goddess Ambe

During Navratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the protection of health and property. A period of introspection �� *�z�� ventures.


The Motherhood of GodNavratri is a festival in which God is adored as a Mother. It is said that Lord Shiva gave permission to Durga to see her mother for nine days in the year and this festival also remembers this visit. Families make an attempt to return home on these days, and leave on the tenth.

Hinduism is the only religion in the world which has emphasised to such an extent the motherhood of God. To celebrate a good harvest, women also plant nine different kinds of food grain seeds in small containers during these nine days and then offer the young saplings to the goddess.

Continued...

How is Navratri CelebratedNavratri is celebrated by communities getting together for dances and nightly feasts. In India, and now all over the world, Navratri is celebrated in a variety of colourful and elaborate ways. Thousands of people meet up all over India where they take part in a cultural dances. One of the dances seen during the nine days is called Garba, which originates from Gujarat in India. Traditionally, it involves dancing in a big circle around a central lamp or pictures/statues of the goddesses. The circle represents the Hindu view of time while the lamp represents light. The other popular dance is called Dandiya Raas, which �� {��#�� | ��and a demon king.

Image Below: People dancing to traditional Garba

thalis or aartis which are decorated plates in honour of the mother goddess, Amba. This is sometimes similar to rangoli patterns created during Diwali.

DussheraThe tenth day of the festival is called Dusshera, and marks the triumph of good over evil, and also the motherhood of God. Durga Puja is especially important, having worshipped her for nine days, her image is taken to the streets in a procession and there is much celebration and dancing. To mark Durga leaving her mother after the nine day visit.

In northern parts of India, Hindus also celebrate Rama’s victory over Ravana during this time, similarly to Diwali. The ten days represent the ten heads of Ravana, and each day is used by Hindus to get rid of bad characteristics, such as lust and jealousy. The tenth day is known as the Day of Victory.

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An auspicious timeFeasts of great variety and delicacyare offered to guests and family during the nine days. For women, Navratri is a time for shopping for new clothes and even gold. Men and Women dress elaborately each day for the puja or rituals and nightly dances. Another part of thepuja also involve designing puja-


Guide to Diwali

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is also an occasion for celebration by Jains and Sikhs and this auspicious festival that originated from India, is now enjoyed by many people across the world. This year Diwali is on Tuesday 13th November 2012.

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends/stories that go with the festival are different in different parts of India.

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The Times of India summed up the modern meaning of Diwali:

Regardless of the mythological explanation one prefers, what the festival of lights really

stands for today is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and

goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple - and some not so

simple - joys of life. - Times of India editorial

In Britain, as in India, the festival is a time for thoroughly spring-cleaning the home, wearing new clothes and most importantly, decorating buildings with fancy lights. Diwali is celebrated in many towns and cities across Britain, by �� *�� {��Trafalgar Square in London hosts a Diwali Show.

More on DiwaliDiwali is known as the ‘festival of lights’ because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas. The lamps are lit to help �� {��way into people’s homes. Theyalso celebrate one of the Diwali legends, which tells of the return of Lord Rama and Sita to Rama’s kingdom after fourteen years of exile in the jungle.

Image right: Lord Rama, Sita (wife),Lakshman (Brother), Hanuman (Devotee of Ram)



Continued...

Lakshmi, wealth and prosperityFor many Indians the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. People start the new business year at Diwali, and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Some people build a small altar to the goddess and decorate it with money and with pictures of the rewards of wealth, such as cars and houses. Many leave windows and doors open so that Lakshmi can come in.

Rangoli �� $ ��+�� $ �� {�� show her either holding a lotus or sitting on one.

GiftsDiwali is very much a time for buying and exchanging gifts. Traditionally sweets and dried fruit were very common gifts to exchange, but the festival has become a time for serious shopping, similar to Christmas. Diwali is also traditionally a time to redecorate homes and buy new clothes.

The legendary story of Diwali – How it all startedThe legends of Diwali show the triumph of Good over Evil and tell of the destruction of monsters that preyed on humanity.

The killing of the demon RavanaRavana, who had ten arms and ten heads, was the wicked king of the island of Sri Lanka who kidnapped the wife of Rama. Rama had been in exile for 14 years because of a disagreement with his dad as to whether he or his brother should be the next king in Ayodhya.

After a great battle Rama killed the demon and rescued his wife. Rama’s return with his wife Sita to Ayodhya and his subsequent coronation as king is ��U��%�� [� ��dark moonless night and they couldn’t see where they were going. The local people put little lamps outside their houses so that the new king and queen � ��*��

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Word Search


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Diwali Diva Rangoli

Lakshmi Sweets Fireworks

Lights Festival Gifts

Celebrate Firecrackers


Cookery Corner

�� (Chocolate layered Sweet)

Prep Time: 5 minCook Time: 10 minSetting Time: 2-4 hoursMakes: approx. 30 pcs.

Ingredients: =� #��U��{�"��{�8 ��'�`��"�� }��Z��'=� Heavy Whipping Cream – 1 pint / 473 ml=� Powdered Sugar – 1.25 cup (approx 150 gm)=� Chocolate Chips – 1/2 cup=� Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – 1 tsp

Method:1. In a deep microwave-safe bowl, mix the following: Instant Dry Milk,

Powdered Sugar and Heavy Whipping Cream.2. Mix very well.3. Cook in the Microwave for a minute at a time, taking it out every time and

mixing it very well.4. �� {�� >��5. �� *�� {�� }��$��

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Z�� Mix again and pour 3/4th of the mixture onto a greased (or lines with wax paper) baking pan or thali.

7. Spread and level out the mixture.>�� To the balance of the mixture in the bowl, add in the Cocoa Powder and

Chocolate Chips while it’s still hot.9. Mix till all the powder is mixed in and the Chips have melted.10. Pour the balance of the mixture to form a top layer.11. If you want to make swirls, use a butter knife and gently bring the white

part of the mixture up to form swirls.12. [�� ~�� "��X��'�13. Cut into desired shape.14. Store in the refrigerator and serve at room temperature.


Rangoli Patterns

How to make Rangoli Patterns�� $ ��to a house with colourful powders and chalks to welcome guests. At Diwali, Hindus draw bright Rangoli patterns to encourage the goddess Lakshmi to enter their homes.

Why don’t you have a go and welcome people to your home with a beautiful Rangoli Pattern. Simply get some coloured chalk and a big sheet of white sugar paper (or if you have permission from your parents, use an area of a big slab outside your front door!).

�� $ �� *��you like or as extravagant as you like

Use the templates opposite to start you off!

Images of Rangoli Patterns.

Why not have a go at colouring in the rangoli ��



Continued...


OM GroupUnity through: Social, Sporting, Educational &Cultural Events! There are many more fantastic places you can access more resources from to learn even more about Navratri, Diwali and many more festivals that take place all over the world!

For more information and interactive ways to access other resources for you, your friends and family to learn and share more knowledge, please visit our website on:www.om-unity.com

It is a good way to learn more about other cultures and how to take part in a variety of cultural celebrations.

“Valuing our heritage, investing �� *�� on Heritage Lottery Fund and details on how they help charities such as OM, visit their website: www.hlf.org.uk

Documents

The Beginner's Guide to Navratri & Diwali