What are the deeper meanings of festivals?

LO: Identify similarities and differences in the way festivals are celebrated within and between religions

Learning about the Hindu festival Rakshabandan. 

First talk about family relationships. How do you care for your siblings? How do you show this?

Ideas for the main part of the lesson:

• Rakshabandan is a Hindu festival celebrated in July or August, a time of family celebration when sisters give rakis (bracelets) to their brothers to show them they love them.
• Make a raki, out of plaited threads and give to one of your siblings to show your regard for them.
• If we are in class, in order not to leave anyone out we could do a circle time - hand over the raki to the person on your left and say something nice about them.

What similarities can you see here between other festivals you know about? Why is this one different?