Bandi Chhorh Divas ✨🎇

Bandi Chorh Diwas is a day on which Guru Hargobind Sahib was released with 52 Kings from Gwalior Prison. The word "Bandi" means "imprisoned", "Chhor" means "release" and "Divas" means "day" and together "Bandi Chhor Divas" means Prisoner Release Day. It is celebrate with great joy as it was a time when "right" prevailed over "wrong". The Mughals had held many hundreds of prisoners who were effectively "political prisoners" and were otherwise innocent leaders of their communities. They had been held without trial or any other legal process; jailed by brute force; held against their wishes. The Guru had found a way to get 52 of these innocent leaders released from the prison without a battle. However, it had been a long process as the Guru spent many years in custody. However, in the end the unjust government of the day had to "give in" to the Guru's just demands. An unlikely victory in a period of history when those in power were completely corrupt and injustice was the order of the day. However, the Guru had found a positive way out of an otherwise very dark situation. The lives of 52 local kings had been saved without a single shot and without a battle! Bandi Chorh Diwas and Diwali are separate festivals and the events actually fall on different days; however, commonly in the popular calendars, they are celebrated on the same day. For this reason, many people often think of these events as if they are the same. In real terms, the day of release of the sixth Guru with the 52 raja's (kings) was actually a few days before Diwali in 1619. These two celebrations represent two quite different events in history. On Bandi Chorh Diwas, the long imprisoned Guru Hargobind was released from Gwalior, taking with him 52 long imprisoned Rajas, whose release was a result of the Guru's wit. Diwali (a Hindu festival) was being celebrated on the day when the Guru reached Amritsar. On the arrival of the Guru in Amritsar, the people lit up the whole city with thousands of candles, lights and lamps like they had never done before; there was much celebration and joy. Bandi Chorh Diwas falls on the night of Amavas in the month of Assu; this actual Bandi Chorh Diwas is celebrated each year at Gurdwara Data Bandi Chor Sahib, Gwalior with much gaiety and joy, a few days before Diwali. Gurudwara Bandi Chor is built at the place where the Guru stayed during his detention. Jahangir advised Wazir Khan to bring Guru Hargobind in his court at Delhi with great honour. Jahangir had realised that he was wrong for allowing the torture and killing of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who had not committed any crime or offence. Wanting to acquit himself of any guilt in the death he indicted the crime on Chandu Shah and other officers. So in order to show his innocence he wanted to meet Guru Hargobind Ji. On meeting with the Emperor Guru Ji wasted no time in telling Jahangir that there was no such thing as a bad convergance of the stars. The Sikhs celebrate this day as Bandi Chhorr Divas i.e., "the day of release of detainees". So in the evening, illuminations are done with "Deewalee" (earthen oil lamps), candles and fireworks. The celebrations are held both in the Gurdwaras and in homes. So, here I'm wishing you'll a very happy and a prosperous Diwali & Bandi Chhor Divas. 💣❤