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Published on 11/10/1999 All articles from this issue

Montessori School celebrates Hindu holiday of Lights'

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

To promote international understanding, Montessori School of Los Altos celebrated its first "Happy Diwali."

Diwali is a widely practiced East Indian Hindu holiday that students experienced first-hand as they discussed different cultures that make up our world.

"This is a most important festival. It marks the homecoming of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile," said Karishma Chandani, a mother and teacher of Montessori School students. "Children enjoy themselves by lighting firecrackers and sparklers (but not in school).

"They receive lots of gifts and sweets to eat, and love the festival."

Montessori School, located at 201 Covington Road, has a preschool program with an enrollment of 50 children.

The Hindu Festival of Lights tradition was the first third-world tradition the school celebrated. Children, teachers and mothers dressed in Indian clothing.

The Diwali festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

People clean their houses and decorate their front doors with beautiful designs called "rangoli."

In the evening, they light earthen lamps called "diyas" to spread light inside and outside their houses.

The people then pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and front doors are left open in the belief that Lakshmi will visit and bring good fortune and great wealth.

Kirti Mehta, a mother of one of the students, told stories and displayed a silver plate on the floor, waiting for Lakshmi to arrive before the refreshments were served to the children.