The children in Year 4 have been discovering India in their geography lessons. As part of their study they have been learning about Hinduism. This has included looking at what Hinduism is and finding out about its origins. Children also found out about different Hindu gods and festivals. Year 4 took part in the Navaratri and Diwali celebrations.
Navaratri, one of the Hindu festivals, was celebrated at the end of September. This festival lasts for nine days and nine nights and celebrates the goddess Durga who overcame the buffalo demon. During the celebration people enjoy performing a folk dance with sticks.
Our children learnt a stick dance and had the opportunity to perform it for the school during our International Language Day.
Children also demonstrated their grasp of the Hindi language by greeting the school in Hindi = "Namaste" - and counting to ten in Hindi.
They were also able to introduce themselves in Hindi. The children decorated their "Navaratri" sticks during an art lesson.
Diwali is another of the main Hindu festivals which last for six days and is held in early October. It celebrates the return of Sita, Rama and Lakshman after their defeat of the ten headed demon, Ravanna. The three were welcomed home to a mass of lanterns known as divas.
During Diwali Year 4 visited the Hindu temple (Mandir) in Ashton.
The children had the opportunity to see the statues of the gods they had been learning about. The gods were dressed and decorated in special costumes for Diwali.
The children also found out more interesting information about Hinduism from Mr Mistry.
Before they left the temple they were able to sketch various aspects of the temple and the gods.
On returning to school, all the children were able to make their own Diwali lanterns. The last day of the festival is the Hindu New Year; this is traditionally celebrated by the lighting of lanterns.
The Hindu temple in Ashton also had a special treat during the Diwali week - a visit from the Archbishop of York.
Mrs Rowley and Mrs Lawrence were lucky enough to receive a personal invitation from the Brahmin (priest) of the temple.
The Archbishop had a wonderful uplifting message of love to share with everyone.
He was very encouraged at the degree of religious unity he had witnessed in Ashton and the North West. (PHOTO 7)
This year Ashton saw the biggest turn-out of local people who had gathered to celebrate Diwali. There was dancing, singing and lots of food. As day turned to night a fabulous parade toured the town centre - drummers, singers, dancers and giant lanterns, all followed by huge crowds of people. The celebration came to a climax with the switching on of the Diwali lights and celebratory fireworks.
The words "Happy Diwali" appeared in lights on the front of the Town Hall!