On the holiday Dussehra (dus-SEH-rah) we celebrate the brave acts of Rama. Rama was a human prince who was another form of the god Vishnu. During Dussehra we put on a play. We dress up as different characters and act out how Rama destroyed the evil
demon-king Ravana. Later we burn a statue of the demon king in a big fire. Our teachers at the temple say that this celebrates the victory of good over evil.
One of the most important Hindu gods is Ganesh. He has the head of an elephant and the body of a man. He always carries a bowl of sweets, which he loves to eat. He rides on the back of a rat. The rat is a fast, clever animal. It is a symbol of being able to get around problems.
My mother says that because we honor Ganesh, he will help us to resolve problems and be successful in life. He brings us good fortune and helps us avoid disasters.
Comprehension Questions
1. What does Ganesh always carry with him?
A. A rat on his shoulder
B. A bowl full of sweets
C. A bag of golden coins
A. To act out how Rama destroyed Ravana the demon-king
B. To celebrate the victory of good over evil
C. Both A and B
Your Thoughts
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.