Diwali Words in Marathi and Hindi for Kids (with Printables)
Diwali is one of the easiest times to teach children Marathi or Hindi, because the words are all around them: दिवा, पणती, रांगोळी, फराळ in Marathi, and दीया, रंगोली, मिठाई in Hindi. Start with 4–8 words, say them as you use the real things, and add a short printable game each day. This guide lists simple Diwali words in both languages with their meanings, shows easy ways to practise them, and links to free Marathi and Hindi worksheets you can print today.
Diwali Words in Marathi
These are everyday Marathi words your child will hear during Diwali. Say each one while pointing to the real thing, so the word and the object stay connected.
- पणती (panati): a small clay lamp
- दिवाळी (Diwali): the festival of lights
- रांगोळी (rangoli): coloured patterns on the floor
- फराळ (faral): festive Diwali snacks
- तारा (tara): star
- फूल (phool): flower
- भेट (bhet): gift
- आकाशकंदील (akashkandil): sky lantern
Diwali Words in Hindi
Many Hindi words look similar to the Marathi ones, which makes it easier for children learning both. Notice how दीवाली is spelled a little differently from Marathi दिवाळी.
- दीया (diya): lamp
- दीवाली (Diwali): the festival of lights
- रंगोली (rangoli): coloured patterns on the floor
- मिठाई (mithai): sweets
- तारा (tara): star
- फूल (phool): flower
- उपहार (uphaar): gift
- कंदील (kandeel): lantern
How to Wish Happy Diwali in Marathi and Hindi
A simple greeting is a lovely first phrase for children to learn, especially for calls with grandparents. In both Marathi and Hindi, families often say शुभ दीपावली (shubh Deepavali), which means "Happy Diwali".
Practise it before visitors arrive or a family video call, and let your child be the first to say it.
Easy Games to Learn Diwali Words
Young children learn new words through play and repetition, not lists. Keep each game to a few minutes and use only 4–8 words at a time.
- Point and name: hold up a real diya, flower or sweet and say its name together
- I spy: "I spy a पणती" — your child finds it and says the word back
- Picture cards: draw or print a picture for each word and match it to its name
- Rangoli hunt: hide word cards near your rangoli and read each one you find
- Greeting practice: take turns saying शुभ दीपावली to each other
Free Marathi and Hindi Printables
Once your child enjoys the spoken words, letter practice helps them start reading the words too. All of these worksheets are free PDFs with no sign-up.
Marathi: start with the Marathi mulakshare worksheets, then try Marathi reading, Marathi writing and the Marathi barakhadi.
Hindi: start with the Hindi varnamala worksheets, then try Hindi reading and Hindi writing.
Learning Marathi or Hindi Away From India
If you live outside India, Diwali may be one of the few times your child hears these words used every day. Use it: ask grandparents to say the words on a video call, label things around the house, and keep the word cards up after the festival.
Our guide to raising bilingual kids has more ideas for keeping a home language strong all year.
A Diwali Activity Book with Marathi and Hindi Words
The Diwali Learning & Activity Pack includes a printable page of Marathi festival words and a page of Hindi festival words, each with a picture, the word, how to say it and its English meaning. The rest of its 45 activities, such as counting, colouring, mazes and games, are in English. It costs ₹99.
For more Diwali ideas, see our guides to Diwali printables for kids and 15 easy Diwali activities.
Put it into practice
Bring this guide to life with our free printable worksheets.