Diwali Story Pack for Kids

Long ago, in a kingdom called Ayodhya, lived a kind prince named Rama. His wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana loved him very much.

One day, Rama had to go and live in the forest for fourteen long years. Sita and Lakshmana went with him. In the forest, a proud king named Ravana took Sita far away to his island, Lanka.

Rama was sad, but he was brave. With his friend Hanuman and a big army of clever monkeys, he crossed the sea and rescued Sita. Good won over bad!

At last it was time to go home. But the night was very dark — there was no moon at all. So the people of Ayodhya lit little clay lamps called diyas, row after row, to show Rama, Sita and Lakshmana the way. The whole city sparkled!

That is why, every Diwali, we light diyas too — to welcome goodness and light into our homes and our hearts.

King Dasharatha of Ayodhya had four sons, and the eldest, Rama, was loved by everyone for his kindness and courage. The whole kingdom was overjoyed when the king decided Rama would be the next ruler.

But Queen Kaikeyi reminded the king of two wishes he had once promised her. She asked that her son Bharata become king, and that Rama live in the forest for fourteen years. A promise is a promise, so Rama calmly agreed. His wife Sita and his loyal brother Lakshmana chose to go with him.

Back in Ayodhya, Bharata refused to sit on the throne. He placed Rama's sandals on it instead and ruled only in his brother's name, waiting for him to return.

Years passed in the forest. One day a shimmering golden deer appeared. While Rama and Lakshmana went after it, the ten-headed king Ravana carried Sita away to his golden island of Lanka.

Rama searched everywhere. He made friends with Sugriva, the monkey king, and with Hanuman, whose devotion and strength were legendary. Hanuman leapt across the ocean, found Sita in a garden in Lanka and gave her Rama's ring so she would know help was coming. Then the monkey army built a great bridge of floating stones across the sea.

A mighty battle followed. Ravana was strong, but his pride and unkindness could not win against Rama's goodness. Rama defeated him, and Sita was free.

Fourteen years had now passed. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana flew home to Ayodhya. It was Amavasya, the darkest night of the month — so the people lit thousands of clay diyas along every road, roof and riverbank. Ayodhya glowed like the stars had come down to welcome them home.

That is the heart of Diwali: good over evil, and light over darkness. Each diya reminds us to let our own inner light — honesty, kindness and courage — shine.

1. Fri 6 Nov

   Dhanteras

   Families clean their homes, buy something new — often a little pot or coin — and light a lamp at the door.

2. Sun 8 Nov · dawn

   Naraka Chaturdashi / Choti Diwali

   We remember Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura, with an early oil bath and the first diyas.

3. Sun 8 Nov · evening

   Lakshmi Puja — main Diwali

   The darkest night of the month glows with diyas, rangoli and prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.

4. Tue 10 Nov

   Govardhan Puja

   We remember little Krishna lifting Govardhan hill to shelter everyone, and offer a mountain of food.

5. Wed 11 Nov

   Bhai Dooj

   Brothers and sisters celebrate each other with a tilak, sweets and promises to always care.

Dates follow the Hindu calendar for India; your local temple may mark some days a day earlier or later depending on your city.

1. 1.How many years did Rama, Sita and Lakshmana live in the forest?
2. 2.Which brave helper leapt across the sea to find Sita?
3. 3.What do we call the little clay lamps we light on Diwali?
4. 4.Which goddess do many families worship on Diwali night?
5. 5.On which day of Diwali do brothers and sisters celebrate each other?