Bollywood music and dance greeted boys as they entered the Erskine May Hall on Monday 13 November for an assembly celebrating Diwali.
In the assembly, proudly led by the boys, pupils learned all about this important religious ceremony celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world. They heard about how the Festival of Light, as Diwali is also known, is a celebration of good triumphing over evil. The boys told the tale of Rama and Sita returning to the city of Ayodhya after defeating the evil king Ravana, which is celebrated by many during Diwali. Boys learned how, for many people, Diwali honours the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.
The boys shared some of the many different traditions and decorations used during the festival, such as diyas, special lamps that are said to help Lakshmi find her way into the home and bring prosperity for the year to come, beautiful rangoli patterns and colourful tapestries to welcome the gods and bring good luck. They also showed the clothes that they wear during Diwali.
All boys also enjoyed a special Diwali-themed lunch in the Dining Hall and decorated their classrooms by creating their own colourful rangoli patterns.
As always, it was wonderful to see the boys sharing in a joyful celebration with their friends, and it was a privilege to learn more about Diwali from the boys.
