Today, along with the celebration of Diwali, many Sikhs will also be celebrating Bandi Chhor Divas, which celebrates the acts of compassion and selflessness from Guru Hargobind, who remained imprisoned to protest for the rights of wrongly imprisoned Rajput princes.
The occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas first took place in autumn of 1619 and is currently celebrated in October or November, the date changes according to the lunar calendar.
Bandi Chhor Divas (prison liberator day) refers to when the 6th spiritual leader of the Sikhs Guru Hargobind Sahib was released from Gwalior Fort in India in 1619.
Guru Hargobind was requested by the Mughal emperor at the time, Jahangir, to stay at his fort to perform prayers. However, one of the advisors of Jahangir wanted to keep Guru Hargobind at the fort as a political prisoner as he was such an influential figure.
Guru Hargobind stayed at the fort for many months and during his time there the Guru inspired the prisoners to join him in daily prayers and did his best to improve their conditions. In time, they came to revere him.
The Guru eventually was asked to leave the fort. However, he refused to leave until the 52 Rajput princes were also released from imprisonment.
The emperor reluctantly agreed to the freeing of these princes, but only if they could all hold onto the Guru’s cloak.
After this request, the Guru ordered for a chola to be made with 52 tassels attached for all imprisoned princes to hold onto.
At the appointed time, the Guru donned the heavy chola, which stretched for yards behind him. The 52 princes each grasped a panel; 26 on the right and 26 on the left. Walking behind the Guru, careful not to let go, they stepped out into the sunlight and freedom, to the cheers of the Guru’s Sikhs. From this time on, Guru Hargobind was known as Bandi (prison) Chhor (liberator), and the day of liberation is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas (day).
Several days later, when Guru Hargobind reached Amritsar, the Hindu festival of light, Diwali, was being celebrated. In their joy at seeing their Guru again, the people lit up the whole city with candles, lights, and lamps. After almost four hundred years, this tradition continues in Amritsar, and on this day the Harimandir Sahib is aglow with thousands of candles and floating lamps, strings of lights decorate the domes, and fireworks burst in the sky.
Sikhs around the world commemorate Bandi Chhor Divas, Prisoner Release Day, by lighting hundreds of candles in the evening around the Gurdwara, singing shabads in praise of Guru Hargobind by Bhai Gurdas, preparing a festive Guru ka Langar, and basking in the spirit of joy and festivity.
Bandi Chhor divas is celebrated as a day of reflection on how we can all learn from this story the values of compassion, selflessness and the importance of community cohesion and helping others regardless of background, religion or any other characteristics.
GLOSSARY
Guru = a religious teacher of Sikh faith
Chola = cloak
