Bandi Chhor Divas

Bandi Chhor (Shodh, Chhor) Divas ("Day of Liberation") ( ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ) is a Sikh festival which coincides with the day of Diwali. Bandi Chhor Divas celebrates the release from prison in Gwalior of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, and 52 other kings with him. This day is known as Bandi Chhor Divas.

The word "Bandi" is translated from Punjabi into English as "Imprisoned" (or "Prisoner"); the Hindi word "Chhor" (shodh) translates as "Release," and the Punjabi word "Divas" means "Day", rendering "Bandi Chhor Divas" into English as "Prisoners' Release Day".

Guru Amar Das Ji chose Diwali, later referenced as Bandi Chhor Divas, as one of the three festivals to be celebrated by Sikhs, the others being Maghi and Baisakhi (or Vaisakhi).

The 2016 date is October 30.

In the Sikh struggle for freedom from the Mughal regime, the festival of Bandi Shor (Shodh) Divas became the second most important day after the annual Vaisakhi festival in April.

In addition to Nagar keertan (a street procession) and an Akhand paath (a continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib), Bandi Shor (Shodh) Divas is celebrated with a fireworks display. The Shri Harmandir Sahib, as well as the whole complex, is festooned with thousands of shimmering lights, creating a unique jewelbox effect.

The death of his father Guru Arjan Dev Ji, at the hands of Mughal emperor Jahangir prompted Hargobind to emphasize the military dimension of the Sikh community. He symbolically wore two swords, which represented miri and piri (temporal power and spiritual authority). He built a fort to defend Ramdaspur (Amritsar) and created a formal court, Akal Takht.

These aggressive moves prompted Jahangir to jail Guru Hargobind Ji at Gwalior Fort. It is not clear as to how much time he spent as a prisoner. The year of his release appears to have been either 1611 or 1612. So nobody says about exact date of releasing of Guru Hargobind Sahib. By that time, Jahangir had more or less reverted to tolerant policies of his father, Akbar, and after finding Guru Hargobind Ji innocent and harmless, he ordered his release. According to Sikh tradition, 52 Rajas who were imprisoned in the fort as hostages for opposing the Mughal empire were dismayed as they were losing a spiritual mentor. Guru Hargobind Ji requested the Rajas be freed along with him, and stood surety for their loyal behavior. Jahangir ordered that only those kings who could hold on to the cloak of the Guru could be released. Guru Hargobind Ji got a special gown stitched which had 52 hems. As Guru Hargobind Ji left the fort, the captive kings caught the hems of the cloak and came out along with him.

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Wikipedia