The Sikh festival of Diwali is celebrated at the same time of year of the Hindu one, but they celebrate very different events.. For Sikhs, Diwali is a celebration of the release from prison of Guru Hargobind, the 6th Guru.
The story says that the Emperor, who was holding Guru Hargobind prisoner, finally agreed to release him. However the Guru asked for 52 Princes to be released at the same time. To limit the number of prisoners who would be released, the emperor said that only those who could hold on to the tails of Guru Hargobind’s cloak would be allowed to leave.
Guru Hargobind very cleverly had a special cloak made with 52 tails, and so the emperor had no choice but to release all of the princes.
The Golden Temple was lit up to celebrate his return, and this is why the Sikh celebration of Diwali is also a festival of light.
Related post: Diwali (Hindu festival)