Diwali Doorway

Work together to create a traditional decorated doorway in the spirit of Diwali, the Hindu year-end holiday.

• 1.

  Before Diwali begins in India and other countries, households prepare their homes to celebrate this Hindu year-end holiday. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom. Special foods are cooked. (Sweets are a favorite.) New clothes are bought and readied for the occasion. Homes and businesses are decorated to greet the 5-day Festival of Lights. What do you think are some of the reasons for this preparation?

• 2.

  Doorways of Hindu homes are adorned with draped, printed fabric called Toran, which may have pictures of peacocks or elephants. Many Toran have sacred symbols like Oum, which is the sound that begins and ends a prayer.

• 3.

  With a small group of your classmates, measure the upper, outside width of the doorway you wish to drape. Cut white fabric with Crayola® Scissors to fit around the top, with pieces hanging down on either side of the door. For a more finished look, ask an adult to hem all sides.

• 4.

  Research Diwali symbols, and select one or more that you wish to print on your door hanging. Cut the sides off of one or more foam produce trays. Etch designs in each tray with Crayola Colored Pencils to make printing blocks. The designs will print in reverse.

• 5.

  Cover your work area with newspaper. Lay your fabric flat on newspaper.

• 6.

  With Crayola Paint Brushes, cover a printing block with Crayola Tempera Paint. Press the printing bock down on the fabric repeatedly to fill the space, adding more paint as needed. Repeat with different colors or designs if you wish. Wash the printing blo

• 7.

  Add more embellishments to your Diwali Doorway designs with Crayola Washable Glitter Glue. Dry.

• 8.

  Yarn tassels may be hung from the fabric ends. Welcome to all who pass through this decorated entrance!

Benefits

• Children research Diwali, an important Hindu holiday in India.
• Students identify authentic graphic designs that are common symbols used during the Diwali Festival of Lights.
• Students create a block-printed doorway decoration that is an expression of traditional Indian practice.

Adaptations

• Clean your classroom or room at home. Donate any unused items to a shelter for homeless people or other charity.
• Research other ways that Hindus decorate for and celebrate Diwali. Make diwa lights or Rangoli designs. Exchange Diwali greeting cards with your Hindu friends.