Diwali / Bandi Chhor Divas
Diwali in Punjab
While Diwali is celebrated across India and the Hindu diaspora worldwide, the Punjabi celebration carries distinct layers of meaning. Homes are cleaned and decorated with diyas (oil lamps) and candles. Families gather for sweets, fireworks, and prayer. Markets buzz with last-minute shopping for mithai (sweets), new clothes, and decorations.
In Punjab, the festival has always had a multi-faith character — Hindu Punjabis celebrate Rama's return to Ayodhya while Sikh Punjabis mark Bandi Chhor Divas. The shared element is light: lighting diyas in every window, on rooftops, along walls, and in gurdwaras and mandirs alike.
Bandi Chhor Divas — The Day of Liberation
For Sikhs, this day commemorates a specific historical event. In 1619, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir imprisoned Guru Hargobind Ji (the sixth Sikh Guru) in Gwalior Fort along with 52 Hindu kings and princes who were political prisoners.
When Jahangir was eventually persuaded to release Guru Hargobind Ji, the Guru refused to leave unless all 52 kings were also freed. Jahangir set a condition: only those who could hold onto the Guru's cloak could walk out. Guru Hargobind Ji had a special cloak made with 52 tassels — one for each king to hold — and walked out of the fort with all of them liberated.
He arrived in Amritsar on Diwali night. The city was illuminated with lamps to welcome him. This is why Sikhs light lamps and fireworks — not just to celebrate light over darkness in the abstract, but to celebrate a specific act of courageous, principled liberation.
The Golden Temple on Diwali
The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar is the centrepiece of Sikh Diwali celebrations. The entire complex is illuminated with thousands of lamps and candles reflecting off the sacred pool (sarovar). A spectacular fireworks display lights up the sky. Kirtan and ardas (prayer) continue through the night. The sight of the Golden Temple on Diwali — its gold facade reflected in lamp-lit water — is one of the most striking visual experiences in the world.