6 things you should know about Diwali

Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world celebrate Diwali this week. Also known as the festival of lights, it's famous for the spectacular light decorations displayed during the five-day event.

An Indian Sikh devotee lights candles at the illuminated Golden Temple in Amritsar. Though the three faiths celebrate Diwali -- the name comes from the word Deepavali, meaning "row of lights" -- in different ways, the main theme symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Indian Sikhs celebrate Diwali to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Hargobind Ji, who is said to have released 52 political prisoners while being freed from his own imprisonment from Gwalior Fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619.

It's said that when he was freed, Guru Hargobind Ji arrived at Amritsar on Diwali day and Harmandar Sahib, or the "Golden Temple," was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return. The tradition continues to this day -- with splendid results.

Neary every house -- and food cart -- in Amritsar is decorated with lamps and lights for Diwali. One of the most popular legends relating to the holiday is the homecoming of the God Lord Rama after he vanquished the demon king Ravana.

During Diwali, Indian Sikh Nihang (traditional religious warriors) also celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, in honor of their freedom from the Mughal regime.

An Indian Sikh devotee holds a child as they take a dip in the holy sarover (water tank) during Bandi Chhor Divas at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Residents light candles and lamps on the ground at the Madan Mohan Malviya stadium on the eve of the Hindu festival Diwali in Allahabad. Diwali is considered the Hindu New Year. Homes are spring-cleaned and decorated with multi-colored rangoli designs and floral decorations on doorways.

In the northern city of Vrindavan, women hold lit earthern lamps on the banks of the Yamuna River. They chant as they walk through the street during celebrations.

The third day of Diwali festival is the most important for the Lakshmi-puja faith. Clean houses and lit candles and lamps are meant to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, so she will bless the family with prosperity.

Diwali is also a time for exchanging gifts -- traditionally sweets and dried fruit, which are in abundance on the streets in the run up to the festival. Here, a woman samples some gol gappas at a roadside snack shop in New Delhi.

• Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, began Thursday


• The five-day holiday celebrates the triumph of good over evil


• People worldwide celebrate Diwali with colorful displays of lights and fireworks

(CNN) -- The Hindu holiday of Diwali is India's biggest and brightest national holiday. But Indians around the world come together to celebrate the festival of lights.

The five-day celebration of good over evil is as important to Hindus as Christmas is to Christians, and it marks the start of a new financial year for Indian businesses worldwide. But how much do you know about this global holiday, which began Thursday? Here are some facts and stats to help you improve your Diwali literacy.

1. Diwali or Deepavali means rows of lights or lamps

Diwali is known as the festival of lights because of the oil lamps and electric lights that people use to decorate homes, businesses and public spaces. As a celebration of the victory of good over evil and darkness over light, light is an important physical and spiritual symbol of the holiday.

2. The name for a Hindu place of worship is "mandir"

Christianity has churches, Judaism has synagogues, Islam has mosques and Hinduism has mandirs. On Diwali, Indians living abroad gather in mandirs for community celebrations. People leave offerings of food at the altars of different gods and gather for communal meals. Some mandirs host fireworks displays.

3. Followers of various religions observe customs related to Diwali

For many Indians, Diwali honors Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. They light their homes and open their doors and windows to welcome her. In addition to Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs also celebrate Diwali in such countries as Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore. Legends and customs accompanying Diwali celebrations vary among religions and regions.

4. People spend a lot of time getting ready

Families spend days cleaning and decorate their homes in preparation for Diwali. They also shop for new clothes and outfits to wear to celebrations. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of ways to go about this, from arts and crafts to makeup tricks to help you "shimmer, shine and sparkle."

5. Diwali is a big celebration in England, too

This year, about 30,000 people attended a "switch-on" of more than 6,000 lamps in Leicester to mark the start of Diwali. Indians are the second-largest minority in Britain, according to IBT.

6. An episode of "The Office" was dedicated to Diwali

In one of few depictions of the holiday in American pop culture, bumbling Dunder Mifflin boss Michael Scott encourages his staff to support Kelly Kapoor by attending a local Diwali celebration. Cringe-worthy moments ensue.