Updated: Sep 8, 2020
Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
When is Diwali?
The festival is usually some time between October and November, with the date changing each year.
This year, it begins on 5 November and lasts for five days, with the main day of celebrations taking place on Wednesday.
Where does the name Diwali come from?
The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps".
Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas. People also enjoy fireworks and sweets too, so it's really popular with children.
What's the festival about?
Each religion marks different historical events and stories.
Hindus celebrate the return of deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. They also celebrate the day Mother Goddess Durga destroyed a demon called Mahisha.
Sikhs particularly celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh in 1619. But Sikhs celebrated the festival before this date.
In fact, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the most holy place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577. The founder of Jainism is Lord Mahavira. During
Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment he reached a state called Moksha (nirvana, or eternal bliss).
Many lights and oil lamps are lit on the streets and in housesPeople visit their relatives and have feastsFireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasionLakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, is worshipped as the bringer of blessings for the new year