Sikh Community calls the festival Diwali as Bandi Chhor Diwas. They celebrate this festival because on this day because their sixth Guru, Hargobind, and 52 other kings got released from the prison of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir had held him in the Gwalior fort for almost 4 months.
In 2003 Sikh religious leaders & SGP Committee formally adopted this day in their Nanankshahi Calendar.
They celebrate this festival in a grand manner just like they celebrate their other festivals like Vaisakhi and Hola Mohalla. Their celebration includes processions, lightning of lamps in houses and Gurudwaras, and different sweets.
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How Sikh Community Celebrates Bandi Chhor Diwas?
The celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas is also similar to that of the celebration of Diwali. People decorate their houses with flowers, lighting, lamps, lantern, and shopping for their favorite products and take the advantage of India’s biggest sale.
Like all the other festivals, food plays an important role in Bandi Chhor Diwas too. People make the most popular food item in Sikh communities named Gajak and Coconut Chikki.
On this Day, the Sikh Gurudwara organizes a non-stop Kirtan singing. Sikh communities consider this occasion to spend this time with their families in Gurudwara. Also on this Day, Sikh’s 3rd Guru Amar Das had built a well-named Goindwal Sahib. Hence on this day, numerous Sikhs visit this sacred place to bathe in its sacred water for forming a community bonding.
Sikhs also go to Gurudwara and remember their almighty Guru through their prayers and sometimes meditation. They also light up few crackers which is the traditional manner of celebration.
History Of Bandi Chhor Diwas
Under the orders of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the Guru Hargobind Shaib’s father Guru Arjan Dev was arrested and jailed. And then Jahangir gave two options to Guru Arjan Dev. He said, either convert religion to Islam or get killed. Guru Arjan Dev refused to convert his religion which to lead immense torture and execution in 1606 CE.
At the age of 11, Guru Hargobind Ji was crowned as the 6th Guru of Sikhism. At his crowning ceremony, Guru Hargobind Ji put 2 swords, one indicates “Piri” and the other “Miri”. He brought Hindus and Sikhs together to oppose the Mughal’s oppression.
Because of the increasing strength of Guru Hargobind Ji, Mughal Emperor Jahangir arrested him in 1609 with the help of Wazir Khan. During that period, Jahangir’s health kept on deteriorating. He then consulted Mia Mir about his health. Mia Mir said that you had captured the Noor of God and advised him to leave Guru Hargobind Ji. Jahangir accepted it to leave Guru Hargobind Ji along with 52 other Kings. And after the release Guru Hargobind Ji went to Amritsar where everyone was celebrating Diwali. And hence this even was termed as Bandi (Slave) Chhor (Release) Diwas (Day).