Festivals

The story of Diwali

Abridged version of Diwali from the Hindu sacred text called "Ramayana". You can print this page for classroom use.

Ravana was a powerful Asura king who lived in Lanka. He had a sister called Surpanakha who fell deeply in love with Rama. She wanted him to marry her but he was married to a beautiful woman name Sita. Rama thought she was wonderful. When Surpanakha tried to arrange a marriage with Rama, he told her to try his brother, Lakshmana as he was single. Unfortunately Lakshmana didn't want to marry her and Surpanakha was very angry. She began to turn her anger onto Sita and repeatedly hit her with her fists. Lakshmana intervened and cut off Surpanakha's nose. Running to her brother, Surpanakha was distraight because she was no longer beautiful, and she was fiercely angry. Her brother, Ravana, decided to take revenge, and he devised a trick whereby he would kidnap Sita and keep her away from her love, Rama. He influenced a friend called Maricha to use his magical powers and turn himself into a golden deer to tempt Rama away from Sita.

When Sita saw this deer she asked Rama to capture it for her. Rama shot an arrow through the deer and it turned magically back into Maricha. On his dying breath Maricha pretended he was Rama calling for Sita and his brother's help.

" Help!" he cried weakly "Lakshmana, Sita help me"

Rama's brother rushed to his aid believing that the voice belonged to Rama. Leaving Sita alone in a protective circle Laskmana told her not to leave the circle for as long as she stayed inside, she would be safe. Then he dashed bravely into the forest.

Ravana was watching. He had disguised himself as a holy man and asked for Sita's help. Being a kind and gentle person, she came out of the circle with a bowl of rice. But as soon as she had, Ravana grasped her hands and lifted her high into the air in a golden chariot. He shouted in a booming voice as they sailed over the clouds;

"I am Ravana! You will be my queen!"

When Rama and Lakshmana discovered Sita had vanished they searched and searched. Once they realised they could not find her they went to find the monkey king who could help them recover Sita. Hanuman was a monkey god and had special powers. He was able to fly and change his size. He met with Rama and Lakshmana and listened to their story. He agreed to help and went to look for Sita. He took Rama's ring to give to Sita for her to understand that he was a friend.

Hanuman was very lucky. After searching high and low he discovered a trail. Clever Sita had dropped ornaments on her journey, making a trail for Rama to follow. Ravana had taken her far away across the ocean to Lanka, and Hanuman found her in one of the gardens called Ashoka grove (Vana). She was being watched over by many large powerful guards and was very distressed. Through tears and sobbing she repeatedly told Ravana that she would not marry him and that she loved Rama.

" How can you ask me?" she pleaded. "Let me go. I love Rama and shall always be devoted to him"

Eventually, Sita was left alone in the garden and Hanuman was able to quietly reach her and talk about an escape. He gave her the ring and she gave him a necklace to give to her beloved. He told her that Rama would come soon to bring her home.

But, before he left, Hanuman decided to teach Ravana a lesson. He ripped up the trees in the garden and when the guards came, he fought bravely with them. However, eventually he was captured, bound and paraded through the streets. After a battle and a cunning plan, Hanuman escaped and flew home.

When he met with Rama, he told him of the devotion and love he saw in Sita. It was important that they save her soon as he was afraid of what Ravana might do. Hanuman, Rama and Lakshmana discussed what to do next. They marched to the ocean and began to plan how to cross it. With the help of the monkey army, they built a bridge across the water, which was constructed in five days. Once across they sent an ultimatum to Ravana.

"Set Sita free or face destruction."

Naturally Ravana refused and so war broke out. Ravana's army was losing so Ravana became personally involved. He began to fight one on one with Rama. Rama smashed Ravana's chariot and wounded him.

Ashamed that Rama had beaten him, Ravana called upon a brother who was as large as an elephant to fight and win the war. Kumbhaharna stomped into the battle, huge and strong, intimidating all that set eyes on him.

It was a difficult battle. Hanuman was wounded and even Rama found this strong beast challenging. Eventually with a weapon given to him by the gods, Rama killed the huge Kumbhakarna who fell on the floor with a mighty thump.

Ravana was mortified. More fighting resumed but it soon came to an end. Rama killed Ravana with powerful mantras that he had learnt, which caused Ravana to whiz through the air emitting flames.

Sita was saved after she had proved her devotion and loyalty to Rama. They looked so happy together. They returned to their homeland triumphant as king and queen in a bright chariot. When they reached Ayodhya, the entire city was there to greet them with celebration and light.

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