While Hindus celebrate Diwali for various religious reasons, the Sikh community celebrates the same day for a historically distinct and deeply meaningful reason.
Sikh name for Diwali: Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation).
Event: Release of Guru Hargobind Singh Ji from Gwalior Fort (1619).
Location: Golden Temple, Amritsar lit up to celebrate his return.
Sikhs commonly call Diwali 'Bandi Chhor Divas'.
In 1619, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir imprisoned the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji, in the Gwalior Fort. He was held there for about a year.
When Jahangir agreed to release him, Guru Hargobind Singh refused to leave unless 52 other Hindu princes who were also imprisoned with him were also freed. Jahangir cleverly said he could take only those who could hold onto his cloak.
The wise Guru had a special cloak made with 52 tassels (one for each prince). All 52 princes held a tassel and walked to freedom with him.
Guru Hargobind Singh arrived at Amritsar's Golden Temple on the day of Diwali, and the whole city lit up to celebrate his return. This day is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas.
Sikhs call Diwali 'Bandi Chhor Divas', meaning 'Day of Liberation'. It commemorates the day Guru Hargobind Singh Ji was released from Gwalior Fort in 1619 along with 52 other imprisoned princes.
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