The Interior — Hindu TextsGrades K–2

Unit 3 · Lights, Colors and Kindness

Start with the story. Then go through each chapter, one lesson at a time. Each lesson has three short checks. Each chapter ends with a review. The unit ends with a wrap-up.

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Pencil drawing, not a photograph: three small clay oil lamps, each with a lit flame, and two little bowls heaped with coloured powder
3Unit

Lights, Colors and Kindness

Festivals and Values

Hindu families keep many festivals. Two big ones are Diwali and Holi. Diwali is the festival of lights. Holi is the festival of colors.

Festivals come with stories. The stories often teach values. You will learn namaste, ahimsa and seva. All children can talk about these ideas.

By the end, you can say how families get ready for Diwali. You can tell about Holi and Prahlada. You can name ways to be kind.

When it happened
Step 1

In autumn, a family cleans the house for Diwali

Step 2

Children make a rangoli pattern by the door

Step 3

The family lights little clay diyas

Step 4

Many families do a Lakshmi puja and share sweets

Step 5

In spring, people light a bonfire the night before Holi

Step 6

Friends throw colored powder and make up

Step 7

People greet each other with namaste

Step 8

Neighbors do seva and help each other

Chapter

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Diwali
Big questionWhy do so many families light lamps at Diwali?
The story

A Flower by the Door

A girl draws a rangoli flower by the front door and sets a tiny lamp in the middle.

It is a cool autumn evening. Priya kneels by her front door. She has little bowls of colored powder. Red, yellow, green and blue.

She pinches some red powder. She lets it fall in a curvy line. Line by line, a big flower grows. Her grandma helps with the petals.

Then Priya holds a tiny clay lamp. Her dad lights it for her. She sets it in the middle of the flower. The little flame dances.

"Now the house is ready," says Grandma. "Happy Diwali!" Inside, the whole family is getting ready for the festival of lights.

Talk about itPriya made something beautiful to welcome people. How does your family get ready for a special day?
Section 1

The Festival of Lights

5.1

What Is Diwali?

Main ideaDiwali is a festival of lights in the autumn.

is a festival of lights. It comes in the autumn, in October or November. In many places it lasts five days.

Families clean their homes. They light lamps. They wear new clothes. They visit family and share sweets. It is a very happy time.

Words to know
Diwali
the festival of lights in the autumn
autumn
the season when leaves fall; also called fall
Check yourself

1. What is Diwali?

2. When is Diwali?

3. What do families share at Diwali?

5.2

Little Clay Lamps

Main ideaFamilies light little clay lamps called diyas.

A is a small clay lamp. It holds oil and a cotton wick. Families light many diyas at Diwali.

They set diyas by doors and windows. They set them on steps. The whole house glows in the dark night.

Words to know
diya
a small clay lamp with oil and a wick
Check yourself

1. What is a diya?

2. What does a diya hold?

3. Where do families set diyas?

Section 2

Why Families Celebrate

5.3

Different Stories, One Festival

Main ideaHindu families remember different stories at Diwali.

Many Hindus remember Rama and Sita coming home. People lit lamps to welcome them. Other Hindus honor Lakshmi. She is the goddess of good fortune.

In South India, many remember a story of Krishna. The stories are different. The lights are the same.

Words to know
Lakshmi
the goddess of good fortune, honored by many Hindus at Diwali
Check yourself

1. Whose homecoming do many Hindus remember at Diwali?

2. Who is Lakshmi?

3. Do all Hindu families tell the same Diwali story?

5.4

Lakshmi Puja

Main ideaMany families honor Lakshmi with a puja on Diwali night.

A is a time of worship. On Diwali night, many families do a Lakshmi puja. They gather at the home shrine.

They offer flowers, lamps and sweets. They sing. Many say Lakshmi is welcome in a clean, bright home.

Words to know
puja
a time of worship, with offerings like flowers and lamps
Check yourself

1. What is a puja?

2. Who do many families honor on Diwali night?

3. What flower goes with Lakshmi?

5.5

Diwali for Sikhs and Jains

Main ideaSikhs and Jains keep Diwali too, for their own reasons.

Hindus are not the only people who keep Diwali. Sikhs light lamps too. They remember Guru Hargobind being set free.

Jains keep Diwali too. They remember their great teacher Mahavira. Each faith has its own reason. Each lights lamps.

Words to know
Sikh
a person who follows the Sikh faith
Jain
a person who follows the Jain faith
Check yourself

1. Which faiths keep Diwali besides Hindus?

2. Who do Sikhs remember at Diwali time?

3. Who do Jains remember at Diwali?

Section 3

Getting Ready, Step by Step

5.6

Rangoli Patterns

Main ideaFamilies make rangoli patterns to welcome guests.

is a pattern made on the floor. People use colored powder, rice or flower petals.

Families make rangoli by the door. It says, "Welcome!" Many rangoli have flowers, dots, lines and circles.

Words to know
rangoli
a colorful pattern made on the floor with powder, rice or petals
Check yourself

1. What is rangoli?

2. What can rangoli be made of?

3. What does rangoli by the door say?

5.7

Diwali in Illinois

Main ideaHindu families in Illinois celebrate Diwali too.

Many Hindu families live in Illinois. They celebrate Diwali at home. Many go to a temple too.

The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago is in Lemont. Families visit temples like it at Diwali. Some schools share Diwali with their classes.

Words to know
temple
a building where people gather to worship
Check yourself

1. Do Hindu families in Illinois celebrate Diwali?

2. Where is the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago?

3. What is one way to get ready for Diwali?

5.8

Light Over Dark

Main ideaMany families say Diwali's lights stand for good winning over bad.

At Diwali, lamps shine in the dark. Many families say this is a sign. Light wins over darkness.

Many say it also means good wins over bad. Kindness wins over meanness. The lights help people remember.

Words to know
sign
something that stands for an idea
Check yourself

1. What do many say Diwali's lights stand for?

2. What is a sign?

3. What wins over darkness at Diwali?

Chapter review

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

0 / 6

1. What is Diwali?

2. What is a diya?

3. What is rangoli?

4. Who is honored in a Lakshmi puja?

5. Which other faiths keep Diwali?

6. What do many say the lights stand for?

Chapter

Holi, Namaste and Helping Others

Values
Big questionHow can we be kind to people and to every living thing?
The story

Colors in the Air

Pink and green powder fills the air, and two old friends laugh and hug.

It is spring. The sun is warm again. Children run into the park with bags of colored powder. Pink, green, yellow and blue.

Arjun sees his friend Meera across the grass. Last week they had a fight. They did not talk for days. Arjun feels a little shy.

Meera smiles. She tosses a puff of pink powder at him. Arjun laughs. He tosses green powder back. Soon they are both covered in color.

"Happy Holi!" they shout. They hug. Many families say Holi is a day to make up with friends. Arjun and Meera are friends again.

Talk about itArjun and Meera made up. What helps you make up with a friend?
Section 1

Holi, the Festival of Colors

6.1

A Spring Festival

Main ideaHoli is a happy spring festival of colors.

is a festival of colors. It comes in the spring, in March in many years. It welcomes the warm days.

People throw colored powder. They spray colored water. They sing and dance. They share sweets and food.

Words to know
Holi
the spring festival of colors
Check yourself

1. What is Holi?

2. When is Holi?

3. What do people throw at Holi?

6.2

Making Up With Friends

Main ideaMany families say Holi is a time to make up and start fresh.

At Holi, everyone is covered in color. You cannot tell who is who! Many families say this helps people feel equal.

Many say Holi is a time to forgive. Friends make up after fights. Neighbors share food. It is a fresh start.

Words to know
forgive
to stop being angry with someone
Check yourself

1. What do many say Holi is a time to do?

2. What does forgive mean?

3. Why can't you tell who is who at Holi?

Section 2

Brave, Kind Prahlada

6.3

The Boy Who Stayed Brave

Main ideaPrahlada stayed brave and kind, even when it was hard.

Prahlada was a prince. He loved Vishnu with all his heart. Many Hindus honor Vishnu as God.

His father was a proud king. He wanted everyone to honor only him. Prahlada said no, kindly. He kept loving Vishnu. He stayed brave.

Words to know
Prahlada
a boy in the stories who stays brave and loyal to Vishnu
Vishnu
honored by many Hindus as God who protects the world
Check yourself

1. Who did Prahlada love with all his heart?

2. What did Prahlada's father want?

3. How did Prahlada act?

6.4

The Bonfire

Main ideaMany people light a bonfire the night before Holi to remember Prahlada.

In a well-known Holi story, Prahlada is kept safe from a great fire. His cruel aunt Holika is not.

So the night before Holi, many people light a big bonfire. They remember that Prahlada was kept safe. They say good wins over bad.

Words to know
bonfire
a big outdoor fire
Check yourself

1. When do many people light the Holi bonfire?

2. Who is kept safe in the story?

3. What do people say the bonfire shows?

Section 3

Values Everyone Can Share

6.5

Namaste

Main ideaNamaste is a greeting with hands pressed together.

is a greeting. You press your hands together. You bow your head a little. Many Hindus greet people this way.

Many explain namaste as honoring the good in the other person. It is a kind, gentle way to say hello.

Words to know
namaste
a greeting with hands pressed together and a small bow
Check yourself

1. What is namaste?

2. How do people hold their hands for namaste?

3. How do many explain namaste?

6.6

Ahimsa: Not Hurting

Main ideaAhimsa means not hurting any living thing.

is an old word. It means not hurting. Not hurting people. Not hurting animals. Not hurting any living thing.

Many Hindus, Jains and Buddhists teach ahimsa. Some families eat no meat because of it. Mahatma Gandhi made ahimsa famous.

Words to know
ahimsa
not hurting any living thing
Check yourself

1. What does ahimsa mean?

2. Who made ahimsa famous?

3. Why do some families eat no meat?

6.7

Seva: Helping Others

Main ideaSeva means helping others without asking for anything back.

means helping others. You help without asking for a reward. Many Hindus and Sikhs do seva.

Some cook and serve free meals at a temple. Some clean a park. Some help a neighbor. Every helper counts, like the little squirrel.

Words to know
seva
helping others without asking for anything back
Check yourself

1. What is seva?

2. Where do some people serve free meals?

3. Which story also shows that every helper counts?

Chapter review

Holi, Namaste and Helping Others

0 / 6

1. What is Holi?

2. Who stayed brave and loved Vishnu?

3. What is namaste?

4. What does ahimsa mean?

5. What does seva mean?

6. What do many say Holi is a time to do?

Unit wrap-up

Lights, Colors and Kindness

Twelve words, twelve meanings

0 / 8

Tap a word, then tap its meaning. A right pair locks in green.

Words
Meanings
Unit test

Fifteen questions across the unit

0 / 10

1. Which festival is the festival of lights?

2. Which festival is the festival of colors?

3. What is a diya?

4. What is rangoli for?

5. Who do many families honor on Diwali night?

6. Which faiths keep Diwali besides Hindus?

7. Who is the brave boy in the Holi story?

8. What is namaste?

9. What does ahimsa mean?

10. What is seva?

Spiral review

Five questions from earlier units

0 / 5

1. (Unit 2) What does little Krishna love?

2. (Unit 1) Who carries Sita to Lanka?

3. (Unit 2) Where does Krishna grow up in the stories?

4. (Unit 1) What is the golden deer?

5. (Unit 2) What is Janmashtami?

Write it

Draw and tell. Pick Diwali or Holi. Draw one thing families do. Tell a grown-up what they do and what many families say it means.

  • Name the festival.
  • Tell one thing families do.
  • Say "Many families say..." when you tell what it means.
  • Use a word from this unit, like diya, rangoli or seva.
0 wordsSaved on this device as you type.

Practice rooms

Rooms already on the site that belong to this unit — cards, quizzes, a lab.

Daily Practice — Hindu texts, grades K–2World Religions — the course
For the teacher

Every lesson keeps its own three checks; a lesson is ticked when all three are right. Chapter reviews, the unit test and its spiral review (five questions from earlier units in this band) score on the page. When the site is connected to your sheet, or the link carries ?dest=, each one also has a Send box: the first-try score, the standards, the supports used, the attempt number and the minutes go to your sheet as an IEP data point.

Print this page for a paper copy of the readings, the sources, the words and the questions; the answers print as dashed boxes under each question.

Fact-check notes for this course live in the handoff: quotes marked (paraphrased) were set that way on purpose.