Welcome to Year 5 Class Worship Multi Faith Week 2016 Why do Hindus Celebrate Diwali and what can we learn from it as Christians?

Our Ramayana Song… Ramayana, The tale you are about to see is part of India’s history, A tale of adventure, war and peace, and a great love story, Of good fighting evil. Believe all the things you see!

Long, long ago…. Sita’s father wanted someone to marry her…

Ravana a 10 headed demon wanted to make Sita his wife, but Sita refused! Ravana swore he would get revenge…

In the meantime Sita fell in love and married Rama!

Rama took Sita back to his palace, everyone was happy! However his Father’s new wife wanted her son (Bharat) to be King instead of Rama.

The Queen made the King banish Rama and Sita to the forest for 14 years, so that Bharat could be King one day. However when the King suddenly died Bharat refused to sit on the throne and said he would leave Rama’s sandals on the throne until his return.

So Rama, Sita and Lakshman (Rama’s brother) were sent out into the forest, where they lived happily.

This was not to last because the evil Ravana’s sister tried to trick Rama into marrying her! However when both Rama and his brother Lakshman refuse to marry the she-demon, she runs off to tell her brother Ravana!

Ravana swears his revenge again and tricks Sita into helping him as a helpless old man!

Jatayu the bird tries to help but is injured…

Ravana takes Sita prisoner to the faraway island of Lanka.

Rama helps Jatayu and Lakhshman gathers weapons to get Sita back from Ravana.

Suddenly the monkey army arrive with Hanuman the Monkey God!

Hanuman goes in search of Sita with Rama’s flower garland to show he is her friend.

Hanuman finds Sita and gives her Rama’s flower garland as a sign.

On his return to Rama, Hanuman asks his monkey army to build a bridge over to Lanka to rescue Sita.

Rama and his army marched across the bridge and Ravana was waiting for them…

Rama shot Ravana with his bow and arrow and he was dead!

Sita ran back to Rama and gave him his flower garland back. They were together once more, everyone cheered!

Lakshman told Rama that 14 years had passed and they could all return home.

Rama and Sita were welcomed home by everyone. Celebrations filled the land an divas were lit to light their way. This was the first celebration of Diwali.

Let’s sing together… It’s Diwali (Chorus) Here come Rama and Sita. Ev’rybody go prepare the lamps. Here come Rama and Sita. Ev’rybody go prepare the lamps.

It’s time for the lighting of the lamps. So Ev’rybody go prepare the lamps. Carnivals and celebrations Making such an atmosphere. We are going to party now. So let’s all give a cheer. Hooray!

It’s time for the lighting of the lamps. So Ev’rybody go prepare the lamps. Fireworks and flaming torches Cast their light on everything. Ev’ryone is happy now that Rama is the King! Woo!

It’s time for the lighting of the lamps. So everybody go prepare the lamps! (Chorus) Here come Rama and Sita. Ev’rybody go prepare the lamps. Here come Rama and Sita. Ev’rybody go prepare the lamps.

This is why every Diwali divas and fireworks are lit to remember the journey home of Rama and Sita and a time when evil was overcome by light.

Light is an important symbol for Hindus and Christians too.

Let us sing together.. ‘Shine Jesus Shine’ 1. Lord the light of your love is shining, In the midst of the darkness shining Jesus Light of the World shine upon us, Set us free by the truth You now bring us, Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, Shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth Your word, Lord, let there be light.

2. Lord, I come to Your awesome presence, From the shadows into Your radiance By the blood I may enter Your brightness Search me, try me, consume all my darkness. Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, Shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth Your word, Lord, let there be light.

3. As we gaze on Your kingly brightness So our faces display Your likeness Ever changing from glory to glory, Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story. Shine on Me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, Shine, Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth Your word, Lord, let there be light. (Repeat)Chorus

Let us pray:

Thank you for sharing in Year 5’s Class Worship We hope you have learnt all about Diwali and why it is important to Hindus. We hope we can learn to celebrate and live in peace with other religions by learning more about their beliefs.