Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas
Diwali: The Festival of Lights is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in India and among Hindu communities worldwide. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well.
In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps.
Southern India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
In western India the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world.
Diwali is celebrated over five days.
DAY ONE: People clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune.
DAY TWO: People decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.
DAY THREE: On the main day of the festival, families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.
DAY FOUR: This is the first day of the new year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.
DAY FIVE: Brothers visit their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.
Sikhs and Diwali
Sikhs celebrate Diwali, also known as Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation), with unique traditions that are centred around the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib from imprisonment in 1619. This day marks the Guru’s successful effort to free himself and 52 Hindu princes from Gwalior Fort, which represents freedom, justice, and compassion in Sikh history.
Key Aspects of Sikh Diwali Celebrations:
Bandi Chhor Divas Significance:
Sikhs honor Guru Hargobind Sahib’s selfless act of securing freedom for others, using this story to reinforce values of justice and compassion.
Celebrations at Gurdwaras:
Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) hold special prayers, hymns (kirtans), and sermons focused on freedom and justice.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is especially beautiful during Diwali, illuminated with lights, candles, and diyas, attracting thousands of visitors worldwide.
Diwali for Sikhs is thus both a celebration of light and a reflection on core values of freedom and resilience.
Harminder Sahib, Amritsar
The Golden Temple is lit up to celebrate Diwali every year.
How is Diwali celebrated in the UK?
Many activities and events are held in United Kingdom to celebrate Diwali, which is known as the “Festival of Lights”. Diwali is a time for spring cleaning in homes and offices. Many homes that celebrate Diwali have assorted sweets, savouries and Diwali herbs. Various lights, candles and sparklers are lit inside and outside homes. Many people wear their finest clothes to celebrate Diwali. Many women wearing jewellery and silk outfits and some have mehendi, which is a temporary henna decoration, on their palms.
Diwali is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom but it is celebrated in many towns and cities such as Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leicester, and London. There may be traffic congestion and parking places may be full in areas where events are held to celebrate Diwali. Some Indian businesses may close early on Diwali.
Many Indian businesses see Diwali as a day to start the new financial year because of Diwali’s ties with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Many cities throughout the United Kingdom celebrate the Diwali festival with firework displays, dances, plays, street lighting, Diwali lanterns, traditional Indian food, and music. Hindu council representatives, spokespeople from Indian associations, and political leaders publicly announce their greetings to those involved in organising and participating in Diwali celebrations.
