Happy Bandi Chhor Diwas!

ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ

Sarbat da bhala

Blessings for Everyone!

Traditional Sikh Blessing

What I hear you say?! I work with a Sikh Doctor, like every other Sikh I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter, he’s a lovely guy! We were chatting last week and he was telling me, he and his family were getting ready for Bandi Chhor Diwas. At this point I have to admit to some religious ignorance, firstly, I’d never heard of Bandi Chhor Diwas and secondly, there is a Sikh temple I pass on my way to work, at this time of the year it seems brighter and more alive, I thought, it must be them getting ready for Diwali? I thought Diwali was celebrated by Hindu’s as well as Sikh’s, but why would two different communities with very strong but very different religions celebrate the same festival, they wouldn’t right!?

Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Light, according to Indian lore, the Hindu festival marks the return of Prince Rama of Ayodhya, his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshman, after a 14-year exile and victory in a war. The people of Ayodhya lit lamps to illuminate their path. And so, Diwali continues to be celebrated each year by lighting lamps, holding firework displays and exchanging sweets and gifts with family and friends. Very different to the reason Sikh’s celebrate Bandi Chhor Diwas.

So, what are Sikh’s celebrating? Well, in 1619, Guru Hargobind Sahib and 52 princes were released from the prison in Gwalior, India. The day is celebrated as a triumph of right over evil and as a tribute to the Guru who saved the lives of the 52 men without using violence. He arrived at Amritsar on Diwali day and the Harmandar (also known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return hence the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" ("prisoner release day" or "Freedom Day").

Despite being completely innocent of any wrongdoing, it is believed that the sixth Guru, along with hundreds of others were imprisoned as a political prisoner by the Mughals.

The Mughal Emperor Jahangir came into contact with the Guru when he was imprisoned and grew close to him, one story is that it’s because the Guru had saved him from a lion while out hunting however a second story suggests it was because the Guru's prayers had cured the Emperor of a severe illness.

As a result of the debt the Emperor owed Guru Hargobind, he agreed to release him, but the Guru refused to accept it unless he would take 52 princes (Rajas) with him. Though reluctant initially, the Emperor agreed to release any prisoners holding onto the Guru's cloak, believing this would severely limit the number of prisoners.

However, the Guru was not to be outmanoeuvred in this way. He asked for a special coat to be made with 52 coat tails(reported as pieces of string in some places). He outsmarted the Emperor as all the Rajas held on to the tails and walked to freedom with him. When the Guru reached Amritsar, coincidently it was Diwali - hence it added another happy moment to the previous celebrations enjoyed by the Sikhs and Hindus alike. Thenceforth, the Sikh struggle for freedom, which intensified in the 18th Century, came to be centred around this day.

On Bandi Chhor Divas, Gurudwara Bandi Chor (the Sikh temple built on the site of the Guru's imprisonment) celebrates the Guru's selflessness with 'Deewalee' (earthen oil lamps), candles, and fireworks.

It is also a period when Sikhs travel to the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), which is the most significant pilgrimage site in the faith. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated with Diyas (lamps) and fireworks on Diwali.

Sikhs all around the world celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which commemorates the victory of the Sikh freedom struggle in the 18th century for the betterment of human society.

How do Sikhs celebrate the festival today?

Typically, an Akhand Path is started and completed on the day of Bandi Chor Divas. An Akhand Path is a 3-day fixed, 24hour continuous reading/recital of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the current and eternal physical Guru of the Sikhs.
Lighting fireworks and gifting Indian sweets to one another.
Often large communities will have a celebratory procession (Nagar Kirtan) and a Langar (community kitchen), where the whole community come together to cook and share food together – I love the concept of this!
Most of all… and the reason you could be excused to think Sikhs are celebrating Diwali, (my excuse anyway!), Lighting Divas, (candles) in your home and at the Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship. (Traditional divas, are like tiny oil lamps, hand-made with clay, oil and cotton wool)

The lighting of candles is a symbol of hope and guidance: a clearing of darkness and guiding one back to their home from tough journeys, similar to the ultimate sacrifices of Sikh soldiers and Gurus. The problems concerning Sikh and other political prisoners are still prevalent in society today. The actions of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and the overall teachings of the Sikh religion remind us all to stand up for truth, justice and equality.

So to all my Sikh friends, I wish you a happy Bandi Chhor Divas and may Waheguru bless you on this special day!

What’s on this week?