Unfolding Tales of Light: A Parent's Guide to Our Festivals of Light Story Scarf

Welcome, storyteller. 👋

We're so happy you’ve invited our new Festivals of Light Story Scarf into your home. This scarf is a doorway to a beautiful season of light celebrated across South Asia and beyond. It’s a time when several distinct, yet thematically related, autumn festivals coincide, each rich with unique history and meaning.

Our scarf has been thoughtfully designed to help your family explore these different stories respectfully and wonderfully. On its fabric, you'll journey through Hindu Diwali, the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas, and Jain Diwali.

To help see how these beautiful festivals are unique, here’s a little map to the stories you can explore together:

Hindu Diwali: Celebrated by Hindu families, the heart of this story is the joyful return of the good king, Lord Rama, and the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi for a prosperous new year.

Bandi Chhor Divas: Celebrated by Sikh families, this festival honours a true story of justice and compassion: the liberation of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes from imprisonment.

Jain Diwali: Celebrated by Jain families, this is a quieter occasion remembering the moment the great teacher, Lord Mahavira, reached a state of ultimate enlightenment and inner peace.

Remember, the goal is not to instruct, but to wonder, connect, and see where your child’s imagination leads.

Setting the Scene for Wonder

Before you begin, you might like to create a calm space. Lay the scarf on the floor and perhaps gather a few simple treasures: wooden blocks, smooth stones, or battery-powered tealights to add a gentle glow. This little ritual helps mark the shift from ordinary time to the magic of storytime. ✨

Journeys Within the Scarf

You can explore one story at a time, or simply follow your child's curiosity as they move across the scarf's landscape.

Hindu Diwali: A Royal Homecoming & A Prosperous New Year

The Heart of the Tale: After a long exile, the noble king, Lord Rama, returns home with his wife, Sita. The people of his kingdom are so overjoyed that they light countless Diya lamps to illuminate his path. It's also a special time to clean the home and light lamps for Goddess Lakshmi, who brings blessings of good fortune for the new year ahead.

Key Themes: The triumph of righteousness (Dharma), welcoming joy, and looking forward to a prosperous future.

Sparks for Imagination:

"Can we use our blocks to build a welcoming palace for Rama and Sita?"

"What blessings of good fortune could we wish for our family this year?"

Bandi Chhor Divas: The Day of Liberation

The Heart of the Tale: This is a historical event. The sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was to be freed from a fort. He bravely refused to leave without 52 Hindu princes also being held there. In a celebrated act of compassion, he had a special cloak made with 52 tassels, allowing every prince to grasp on and walk out to freedom with him.

Key Themes: Justice, freedom, and the moral courage to care for all people.

Sparks for Imagination:

"How do you think the 52 princes felt when the Guru refused to leave without them?"

"What does it mean to be fair to everyone?"

Jain Diwali: A Light of Inner Knowledge

The Heart of the Tale: This is a serene story marking the moment a great spiritual teacher, Lord Mahavira, reached a state of ultimate peace and understanding (nirvana). His followers lit lamps to symbolise that his "light of knowledge" teachings would never go out. For Jains, this time also marks the beginning of a new year.

Key Themes: Inner peace, enlightenment, and remembering the wisdom of great teachers.

Sparks for Imagination:

"The light from these lamps is like a bright idea. What is the kindest idea you can think of?"

"This story is about feeling peaceful inside. What helps you feel calm?"

Connecting the Threads

Though these festivals have different stories, they are connected by the beautiful traditions that happen at the same time of year. They all share the radiant Diya lamp as a symbol of hope, and the joyful sharing of sweets to spread happiness and strengthen community bonds.

Beyond the Scarf: Keep the Curiosity Glowing

If your family’s journey has just begun, you might enjoy exploring these ideas together:

Craft your own Diyas: A simple salt dough can be moulded into little pinch-pots and left to air dry.

Tell a story of compassion: In the spirit of Bandi Chhor Divas, share a time when someone stood up for someone else. You could even design a "cloak of kindness" on paper, with tassels representing kind acts.

Create a 'peace corner': Inspired by Jain Diwali, find a quiet spot. Place the scarf there with a battery-powered candle and talk about what makes you feel peaceful inside.

We hope this storytelling toy becomes a cherished part of your family’s playscape. We would be honoured to hear the tales you tell.

With warmth,

The Storytime Scarves Family

#StorytimeScarvesStories