Diwali is a festival of joyous celebration across India. The lights, colors and festivities resonate from every street and corner of the country. Families come together to celebrate the festival with food, fun and laughter. Memories are made, and unity is celebrated with decorated homes with the aroma of freshly cooked sweets
Want to make this Diwali more fun? We tell you how to make this Diwali more exciting with different Diwali activities you could play with family, kids, friends, and colleagues.
Let's understand the festival of lights's essence before diving into the exciting Diwali activities.
5 Days of Diwali Celebrations
The main rites of the Diwali festival are performed on the third day of Diwali. As many of you know already, Diwali celebrations have five days dedicated to it. Here's a quick account of 5 day Diwali celebrations for your reference:
Dhanteras
Dhanteras, or "Dhanatrayodash" typically occurs one or two days before Diwali. Dhanteras marks the beginning of 5 day Diwali , which concludes with Bhai Dooj. People purchase jewelry and utensils on this day to attract luck.
As per Indian tradition, this day is dedicated to worshiping the god of knowledge, Ganesha, and the goddess of riches, Lakshmi. Legend has it that on the day of Dhantrayodashi, the goddess Lakshmi emerged from the sea of milk during the "Samundra Manthan," or churning of the ocean.
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Narak Chaturdashi
The Narak Chaturdashi takes place between Dhanteras and Diwali. It is the second day in the 5 day Diwali festival, known as Choti Diwali. Choti Diwali is also known as Naraka Nivaran Chaturdashi, Roop Chaudas, and Kali Chaudas.
On the day of Narak Chaturdashi, Diwali puja calls for sandalwood, oil, and flowers. A mixture of sesame seeds, fake rice, ghee, and sugar is served as prasad. People rise early on the day of the puja and bathe. With water that has added apamarga leaves, one can take a bath. Applying sesame oil before taking a bath is lucky.
Lakshmi Puja
During the Hindu festival of Lakshmi Puja, followers pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. According to folklore, on this day, goddess Lakshmi visits her followers and presents them with gifts. Lakshmi Puja is conducted on the eve of "Amavasya tithi," which falls on the third day of 5 day Diwali festival. Lakshmi Puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal, which begins after sunset, following the drikpanchang.
Govardhan Puja
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is observed to honor Krishna. This festival, celebrated the day after Diwali, has a particular position in Hindu mythology because it commemorates the day Krishna conquered Indra by raising the Govardhan Parvat with just one finger, protecting the locals' cattle and villagers from the wrath of nature.
Bhaiya Dooj
Sibling relationships are unique and should be honored all year long. The Hindu holiday of Bhai Dooj, also known as Yama Dwitiya or Bhai Tika, celebrates this specific protective and loving relationship. Bhai Dooj is observed two days after Diwali on the second lunar day of the "Shukla Paksha", or bright fortnight in the Hindu calendar month of Kartika.
On this day, older siblings offer their younger siblings presents and cash in exchange for them applying the tika to their foreheads and praying for their protection and well-being. Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj are very similar in spirit, although Bhai Dooj does not involve the wrist-tying of the symbolic Rakhi.
16 Fun Diwali Activities For Kids
You've decked your home with lights, flowers, and decorations for Diwali. Additionally, you've arranged your elegant attire and jewelry, and all of your presents are nicely wrapped and prepared. But what else can you do to make Diwali all the more special? You could play or engage in some Diwali activities. But what activities? Let's find out!
Edible diya craft
Make your meals as beautiful as your attire and house this Diwali! Try out adorable and simple kid-friendly culinary crafts for Diwali! Your Diwali dinner shouldn't be bland now that everything else looks so nice, should it not?
For this reason, we believe you should make a little more effort while plating your dishes for Diwali, especially for the children. And we're not talking Masterchef level here; rather, we're talking doable in a short amount of time! Edible Diya Craft will do just the magic for Diwali activities this year. Sugar cookies, cakes, and biscuits with the Diya theme will add sparkle to your kid's day!
Rangoli sketching and painting
A folk art passed down from one generation to the next for Diwali activities. Rangoli is a decorative art traditionally painted on floors or house entryways. It is said to welcome guests and bring good fortune, wealth, and success to the home and family. Mothers teach their children the art of Rangoli. On holidays like Diwali, Onam, and Pongal, some Indian mothers perform this ritual every morning.
Organizing a rangoli making activity in schools or neighbourhoods could be a funs Diwali activities for students or kids to engage in. It will bring out their creative side. Check out our online store for rangoli kits.
Glitter Diwali cards
What could be more delightful than sending a loved one a creative, handwritten greeting card for Diwali to express your joyous holiday wishes? This year explore Diwali art and craft activity and try a handmade Diwali greeting cards crafted with all of our love for your family or friends to treasure.
Storytelling
Storytelling would make the perfect Diwali activities for students, school, or family gatherings. Try playing out the story with your family. Act out scenes, characters, and dialogue. All you have to do is assign parts, browse around the house for props, dress up, and get ready for a drama-filled evening of fun!
Candle making
Candles provide the perfect festive touch for Diwali. Together with your child, you can create wax or crayon candles. Though wax candles can be a little familiar, crayon candles are a dream! Kids today usually have extra crayons they can no longer use, and throwing them away hurts. However, using the leftover colors to make candles is a fantastic way to recycle them and give your kids' Diwali a homemade flavor. Explore the candle making kit at our online store.
Lantern making
For Diwali activities this year, try decorating home with vibrant and luminous paper lanterns. Although earthen clay lamps, gives a traditional touch, the paper lanterns could be exciting. Making DIY paper lanterns for Diwali with your kids can be an engaging Diwali art and crat activity to nurture their creative side. You may use them as-is or put some lights inside; be careful not to burn the paper!
Green Diwali
Go green this Diwali! Creating our rangolis with natural colors is a beautiful way to celebrate a green Diwali. Utilize biodegradable and environmentally safe products, such as rice powder, colorful grains, flowers, petals, haldi, etc.
Give your guests a warm welcome this year by providing them with clay pots filled with water, juices, plates, and bowls made of recycled paper or plant fiber. Instead of sharing and consuming unhealthy foods, switch to nuts, millets, and healthier versions of sweets and savory items. Replace sugar with jaggery to give homemade delights a healthy touch.
Jewellery-making
Another great addition to Diwali art and craft activities this year could be hand-drafted jewellery decorations. This genuinely depicts traditional clothing and accessories that are timeless. Indian women are ardent devotees of traditional jewelry. Making a suitable blend of Indo-Western jewelry for your loved ones makes sense because traditional jewelry is more expensive than the alternatives because they are lightweight, affordable, uncommon, and eco-friendly.
Quiz Contests with Prizes
Quiz contests are a fun way of brightening up your kids' Diwali activities. You could create a quiz based on Diwali stories or choose from the available ones online. Declare prizes for winners and get that winning spirit moving! Lots of quizzes are available on Amazon to choose from!
Diwali-inspired artifacts and origami
The highly intricate origami craft can be used to create some lovely creations for Diwali activities this year. You can buy origami paper and guides from Amazon. Additionally, you can educate your children on how to create intriguing designs using the origami papers you have purchased. One benefit of involving your children in such a Diwali activity is that it gives them a chance to express their creativity. They can create earrings, artwork, flowers, cards, and garlands. You may do the same at home.
Writer's Day
Conduct a writers day event for kids who love writing. This can be a great Diwali activity for students in encouraging them. They can compose an essay or poetry to demonstrate their comprehension of the meaning of Diwali for Diwali activities this year. Post this article on your blog or Facebook page to give them a sense of accomplishment and build their confidence.
Fancy Dress Competition
Use Diwali to organize a fun fancy dress contest, perhaps with the festival's colors as the inspiration. Kids might be asked to dress up anyway they choose in hues of yellow, orange, or red for Diwali activities this year.
Make sure it's safe and enjoyable for your children because Diwali is a time of celebration and a lot of enthusiasm for kids. Before letting the youngsters enjoy themselves, be cautious and ensure they follow the correct directions.
Flame Craft
Diwali features a lot of fire aspects, including candles, diyas, and of course, fireworks. Why not create your flame for a safer way to appreciate these elements for Diwali activities this year? It sounds fantastic, doesn't it? You can make this using colored paper found on Amazon.
Dough Craft
Perhaps your children are bored with their Rangoli coloring pages and want to create their own! You can make homemade playdough with decorated lentils for Diwali activities this year. Leave this to the older kids since these contain microscopic particles; the smaller ones can color!
Culinary Art
Get your child cooking! Teach your youngster how to make festive dishes for Diwali, such as kheer, sheera, gujiya, mathri, etc. Diwali is, after all, an excellent excuse to prepare all delicacies that one's culture is renowned for, wherever that culture may be in the world.
Word Search
Take a word search with your kids with some festival keywords as you come across them for Diwali activities this year. This is a fantastic educational exercise to undertake together.
7 Diwali Activities For Families
Read/Watch stories about the Legend of Diwali
According to the Ramayana, the account of Rama's return to Ayodhya is the one most closely associated with Diwali. According to tradition, Rama, his brother Lakshman, and his wife Sita were exiled from the Ayodhya kingdom for 14 years. When they returned home, the villagers lit the streets with diyas. As a family, you can sit and watch or read the legend of Diwali together. You can find books with legends on Amazon.
Decorate Home with Rangoli
The rangoli is a symbol of the joy, optimism, and vibrancy of a family. In artistic designs, rangoli art is typically created with colorful sand, rice, flowers, and paint and is believed to symbolize good luck.
You can make open-ended cones out of three to four paper sheets. Each rangoli cone should be filled with a different color of rangoli powder. Refer to the tile patterns on your floor as a guide. Begin sprinkling rangoli powder in little patterns along the floor, such as lines, dots, and circles. Place the larger box cap in the center and sprinkle rangoli powder around it to create a circular rangoli pattern. Draw a series of evenly thin lines leaving the circle with the pencil or stick. Staple the sides so that the powder doesn't slide off. With young children, making these lovely artworks may be a lot of fun, especially if you buy some stencils to assist them.
Paint clay diyas to light up the home
In several religions, including the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths, traditional lamps called diyas, sometimes known as clay lamps, are used for special occasions. These lamps are frequently used during Diwali.
People light their homes with clay diyas. Suppose you want to design more than one diya, group the lamps so you can paint them sequentially. By having all of your equipment and supplies close at hand, you may save time and effort. If your diya is not thoroughly cleaned, the paint may darken, or the brush may become clogged, giving you a result you didn't want or expect. On your plastic plate or palette, pour a moderate amount of the colors you intend to use to paint your diya. Select one of those hues to serve as your foundation coat. You might wish to apply a bit of additional paint after choosing your base coat because it will be applied to the entire surface of your diya lamp. Color your lamps and enjoy a colorful Diwali with your kids!
Prepare the Sweets
Sweets symbolize happiness and joy, but most importantly, they signify love for other people. Indians use sweets to thank, honor and recognize other people in their lives. It's a way of telling people that "they matter."
The simple act of giving out, creating, or eating sweets during Diwali is a celebration. Let's all agree that we are so inextricably linked to the indulgence of sweets that there is scarcely anyone who doesn't like them. The diversity of the entire nation is transcended by a straightforward gesture of kindness, such as giving sweets to one another during Diwali. So get your kids and spouse together and get cooking!
Buy New Clothes
Buying new clothes for the family has become a ritual during Diwali. Everyone wants to celebrate the festival with colorful and fresh new clothes to light up the festival of lights. Amazon has just the suitable options for you! Check out the fantastic discounts on Men, Women and Children's clothing on Amazon today!
Lights
You can buy colorful lights to decorate the inside and outside of your house this Diwali. Choose from the assortment of lights available for you on Amazon!
Painting and Lighting Lanterns
Lanterns are for Diwali celebrations. Get started with your Diwali activities by purchasing lanterns or 'kandeels'.
These customary Diwali lanterns are paper stars or cylindrical-shaped lanterns. While 'Kandeels' are sometimes made of thinner paper and are intended for short-term usage, some are constructed of high-quality, heavier-weight paper and should survive for many years with proper care. It depends on how long you want to use the kandeel.
How can you Celebrate Diwali with Amazon Business?
Amazon Business is your ideal shopping partner for all your Diwali shopping, be it supplies for Diwali activities, Diwali art and craft, 5 day Diwali needs, or activities for Diwali in school, office or home, we have got you covered. Especially with the Great Indian festival and Amazon Small Business Month rolling out soon, you can procure items or products at a better deal.
Our corporate Diwali gifts will aid in your office-related Diwali purchases. Not just that get bulk discounts with every bulk purchase and avail of an additional 28% discount with the GST invoice.
Conclusion
Diwali activities have an integrative effect on people and enable people to work and have fun together, whether in their workspace or personal domain. This blog accentuates the fun activities you could engage in with your children, family, or employees and celebrates Diwali the fun way. Remember to consider our planet this Diwali season and have a green Diwali diffusing the light from diyas, not the pollution from the crackers!
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