by Gail Kavanagh

Created on: September 27, 2009

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindi Festival of Lights, and is celebrated around October and November every year. Diwali, which means a row of lights, celebrates Lord Rama's return after 14 years of exile, and is also sacred to the Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth.

Lights are the primary items of decoration for this festival, and it is traditional to make small clay oil lamps, called diyas, to set in rows. You can make the clay lamps, and use them as candle holders. You will need a quantity of air drying clay, such as Crayola or Makins, some acrylic paints, and decorative embellishments such as sequins.

Roll out the clay, and cut out a star shape with a large cookie cutter. press the star into a bowl shape with five points forming the edges. Let the diya dry thoroughly, and paint with acrylic paint. Let the paint dry, and glue on shells, shiny gemstones, or sequins around the outside of the bowl. Finsih off with a coat or two of sealer. The diya should be just large enough to comfortably hold a tea light candle.

If you like, you can also use tinted air drying clay to save painting, and press your shells, stones or sequins into the clay before drying. The effect will be very pretty if you make several and line them up. Diya lights are an important part of the Diwali festival, and should always form the basis of your decorations.

Another great idea with air drying clay, and one the children will enjoy, is to press your hand into the clay and mark around it so you have a cutting out guide. The resulting hand shapes can be painted and decorated, and tea light candles placed on the palm. You can have the wholke family represented by the hand shapes. Decorate with traditional Mendhi designs.

But you can also subsitute rows of tea light candles, or tall candles in holders. A pretty Diwali table center display can be created with an Indian styled tray and lots of tea light. Fill the tray with tea lights and place them in the center of the table. You can also decorate small glass jars with glass paint, or embellishments and glue, to hold your Diwali candles.

Flower garlands are popular at Diwali, and this is an easy craft for children. Cut flower shapes out of brightly colored construction paper and thread them on fishing line or thick sewing cotton. Hang the garlands around the house and over the door. Real flowers, or fabric flowers, can also be used, and make the garlands even more special.

Adults and children alike might also enjoy making paper dolls of Rama, his wife Sita, and the Goddess Lakshmi, and setting them up on their own altar, surrounded by diyas (at a safe distance!). If you enjoy making felt dolls, or redressing older dolls, you might also like to create costumes for your dolls so they can join in the celebrations. You can find suitable images to guide your designs on the web.

Diwali is one of the most beautiful and joyful festivals in the world. Make your Diwali preparations and crafts a fun family activity to bring all the blessings of this lovely time of year into your home.

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