People often mark Dhanteras, the first day of the Diwali festival, by purchasing gold or silvery jewelry. - Ashish Vaishnav/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images ...

Celebrated across India and worldwide, Diwali begins with Dhanteras and concludes with Bhai Dooj. People participate by wearing traditional clothes, and women often apply Mehendi on their hands.

Metro Atlanta has kicked off the Diwali holiday season with the traditional lighting of the lamp at the annual Global Mela. The holiday, also known as the festival of lights, arrives Nov. 12.

The main days of Diwali include Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Here’s all that you need to know about the main five days of the festival.

Dhanteras, the preparation period leading up to the peak of Diwali on Oct. 31, begins two days earlier, on Oct. 29. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

People often mark Dhanteras, the first day of the Diwali festival, by purchasing gold or silvery jewelry. - Ashish Vaishnav/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images ...

By Harmeet Kaur, CNN (CNN) — More than a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the ...

By Harmeet Kaur, CNN (CNN) — More than a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the ...

• Diwali, or Lakshmi Puja: The third day of the festival is what people typically think of as Diwali. Families gather to exchange gifts, feast on scrumptious dishes and indulge in sweets.

• Diwali, or Lakshmi Puja: The third day of the festival is what people typically think of as Diwali. Families gather to exchange gifts, feast on scrumptious dishes and indulge in sweets.