Technolandy

Day 42 (of 2026/27) November is for Option 8: cultural appreciation – #Diwali

Diwali is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how we make our classrooms welcoming for students whose families celebrate different cultural and religious traditions.

But before we get to the ten things, a reminder: Diwali is not one single experience shared by everyone who celebrates it. It is a festival with different meanings, traditions and practices across communities. Our job as educators is to make room for those differences, not turn them into another lesson in which everyone is expected to fit the same answer key.

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Day 1 — Dhanteras: Friday, November 6, 2026 (Worship of Lord Dhanvantari, Lakshmi, and Kubera; buying gold, silver, or utensils) [1, 2]

Day 2 — Choti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi): Saturday, November 7, 2026 (Lighting of traditional lamps and early-morning ritual baths) [1, 2]

Day 3 — Diwali & Lakshmi Puja: Sunday, November 8, 2026 (The primary festival of lights, evening Lakshmi and Ganesha Puja) [1, 2]

Day 4 — Govardhan Puja (Annakut): Tuesday, November 10, 2026 (Honoring nature, Govardhan Hill, and Lord Krishna) [1, 2]

Day 5 — Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (Celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters with tilak ceremonies) [1, 2]

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Ten things BC educators should know about Diwali

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1. Diwali is a major festival, not just a cultural theme day. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a significant religious festival for many Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, as well as some Buddhist communities. It is also celebrated by people who identify with its cultural traditions. For many, it is a deeply meaningful time of faith, family and renewal. 
2. There is no single Diwali story. Many Hindu traditions associate Diwali with the return of Rama and Sita or the defeat of Narakasura. For Sikhs, Bandi Chhor Divas commemorates Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment alongside 52 princes. For Jains, Diwali marks Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana. These are distinct traditions, not interchangeable versions of the same story. 
3. Diwali is more than one day. It is commonly observed over five days, with different activities and meanings on each. Families may celebrate with prayers, visiting relatives, preparing food, exchanging gifts or attending community events. The main day is not necessarily the only day that matters to a student. 
4. The date changes every year. Diwali follows a lunisolar calendar, so it usually falls in October or November. In 2026, the main day is November 8. Different communities may observe it on different dates, depending on their calendar and tradition. 
5. Some students may be absent, tired or distracted. Students may attend religious services, travel, visit family or participate in evening celebrations. Some may be fasting or following other religious practices. A student who is tired the next morning is not necessarily disengaged, unprepared or lacking motivation.
6. Don’t assume every South Asian student celebrates. India is religiously and culturally diverse, and so are BC classrooms. Some students may celebrate Diwali, some may observe other festivals, and others may not participate in any religious traditions. Ask respectfully rather than assuming based on a student’s name, appearance or family background.
7. Light is meaningful, not just decorative. Diyas, or small oil lamps, are a familiar symbol of Diwali. Light may represent hope, knowledge, goodness or spiritual understanding. Rangoli, sweets, flowers and other decorations can also carry meaning. Treat these traditions with the same care we would give to symbols from any other faith.
8. Participation should be an invitation, not an expectation. A student may be delighted to share a tradition, while another may prefer not to discuss their faith. Avoid asking one child to represent an entire religion or culture. Offer opportunities to learn, but never make students responsible for teaching the class about their identity. 
9. Make room for religious accommodation.  Be mindful of attendance, tests, presentations, sports and major school events. BC educators should work with students and families to address religious observances respectfully. Diwali is not a statutory school holiday, but that does not mean a student’s religious observance is unimportant.
10. Celebrate the learning, not just the decorations.  Diwali can be an opportunity to explore religious diversity, storytelling, art, music, mathematics, history and community. But the goal is not to turn every religious celebration into a classroom activity. Sometimes the most meaningful thing a school can do is acknowledge the day, offer flexibility and wish students a joyful celebration.

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Diwali offers educators a reminder that belonging is not something we create by asking everyone to celebrate the same things.

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It is something we create by making sure students can bring their whole selves into our schools, including the parts of their lives that happen beyond the school day.

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We don’t need to know every tradition, every prayer or every story to make a student feel welcome. We do need to be curious enough to learn, humble enough to ask, and thoughtful enough to make room.

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And sometimes, the best way to celebrate a student’s light is simply to make sure our school doesn’t ask them to leave it at the door.

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Happy Diwali to all those celebrating! Shubh Diwali!