Diwali, is primaraily known as the festival of the Hindus. It marks the the end of Lord Rama’s vanvaas (a period of 14 years that Rama, Lakshama along with Rama’s wife Sita spent in forest, living like saints and shedding the comfort of the royal palace) and the triumph of good over evil.
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Diwas on the same day as Diwali, which translates to ‘Prisoner Release Day’. This day is celebrated to mark the day when Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth guru of Sikhs, was released from Gwalior Prison in 1619 on the orders of Mughal ruler Jahangir.
‘The day of liberation’ also signifies the victory of good over evil or right over wrong and on this day, the Sikhs around the world pay tribute to Guru Hargobind Sahib as he saved lives of 52 men without resorting to violence.
According to the legends, Guru Hargobind was arrested by the Mughals and was held as a political prisoner. Jahangir, the Mughal emperor ruling India at that time, met with Guru Hargobind and after a miracle, the two became close.
After the incident, the Mughal ruler agreed to release him. But Guru had a condition- he will only accept the release order if the other 52 prisoners were also released along with him.
At first, Jahangir refused but only to come up with a challenge for the Guru that could help him take all the 52 men with him. He declared that whoever could get hold onto Guru’s cloak, will be allowed to walk free.
The Guru made a cloak with 52 tails and all the men could hold onto it, hence walked out of the prison as free men.
This marked the day to be known as Bandi Chhorh Divas by Sikhs. It also attracts pilgrims to the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar.
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