The short answer
Bandi Chhor Divas, 'the day of release of prisoners', is when Sikhs celebrate Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's return to Amritsar after being released from detention in Gwalior Fort. According to tradition, the Guru refused to leave unless 52 imprisoned rajas were freed with him. It falls around the same time as Diwali, and Sikhs mark it by lighting Sri Harmandir Sahib and Gurdwaras, with Kirtan and Langar.
In detail
Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru, was held for a time in Gwalior Fort by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Historians agree that the Guru was detained there, though sources differ on how long and on exactly why. His detention came in the years after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, when the Guru had begun to build up the Sikhs' ability to defend themselves and had founded the Akal Takht in Amritsar.
According to tradition, when the order came for the Guru's release, he refused to leave unless the other princes imprisoned there were freed too. The emperor is said to have agreed that as many as could hold onto the Guru's garment could go. The Guru had a cloak made with many long tassels, and 52 rajas walked out holding onto it. For this reason Sikhs remember him as Bandi Chhor — the Liberator of the imprisoned.
The Guru's return to Amritsar is traditionally placed around Diwali, and the Sangat lit up the city to welcome him. Sikh gatherings at Amritsar at Diwali time go back a long way; according to tradition, Guru Amar Das Ji had earlier made Diwali one of the occasions for Sikhs to gather. The Diwali gathering is also linked with Bhai Mani Singh Ji, who was martyred after trying to hold it in the eighteenth century.
The name Bandi Chhor Divas has become widely used in recent times to make clear the Sikh meaning of the day. Sikhs celebrate with the illumination of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Kirtan, Akhand Paths and Langar. Many communities today also encourage celebrations that are safe and considerate of neighbours and the environment. Above all, it is a day to remember a Guru whose concern was the freedom of others as well as his own.
What Gurbani says
ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ॥ ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ॥
Naanak naam charhdee kalaa. Tere bhaane sarbat daa bhalaa.
Through the Name, O Nanak, may our spirits stay in rising optimism (Chardi Kala); by Your will, may there be good for all.
ਨਾਮ ਰਾਹੀਂ, ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ, ਸਾਡੇ ਹੌਸਲੇ ਸਦਾ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿਣ; ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਭ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੋਵੇ।
The prayer for the good of all — echoed in the Guru refusing freedom for himself alone.
ਆਈ ਪੰਥੀ ਸਗਲ ਜਮਾਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਜੀਤੈ ਜਗੁ ਜੀਤੁ ॥
Aaee panthee sagal jamaatee man jeetai jag jeet.
Let seeing all humanity as your own fellowship be your highest order. Conquer your own mind, and you conquer the world.
ਸਾਰੀ ਮਨੁੱਖਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਾ ਸਮਝਣਾ ਹੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਚਾ ਪੰਥ ਹੋਵੇ। ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਤ ਲਓ, ਤਾਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਤ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹੋ।
The truest freedom is conquering one's own mind, a deeper meaning of release.
What it means
The closing lines of Ardas ask for the good of all, and the story of Bandi Chhor Divas shows that prayer in action: the Guru would not accept freedom unless others shared it. Japji Sahib adds another layer. Gurbani also speaks of release from inner prisons — ego, fear and greed — and says that whoever conquers their own mind conquers the world. The festival invites both kinds of freedom.
Living it today
- Light your home or Gurdwara and tell children the story of the 52 rajas.
- Think of someone who is 'held back' — by loneliness, debt, or hardship — and do one concrete thing to help.
- Reflect on one inner habit that imprisons you and make a small step towards freedom from it.
- Attend Kirtan on the day, or watch the illumination of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
- Celebrate considerately, keeping noise, safety and the environment in mind.
A real-life example
Fifty-two tassels
Seven-year-old Simar's class was learning about Diwali, and she told them her family celebrated Bandi Chhor Divas too. She brought in a cloak her grandmother had helped her make, with lots of wool tassels. She explained the story, then asked classmates to hold a tassel each and walk around the room with her. 'The Guru didn't want to be free by himself,' she said. Her teacher asked the class who they could help 'be free' this week. One boy said he would invite the new student, who ate lunch alone, to sit with his friends.
Common misunderstandings
Sikhs celebrate Diwali for the same reasons as Hindus.
Sikhs mark this time of year above all as Bandi Chhor Divas, remembering Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji's release and return to Amritsar.
Bandi Chhor Divas is a new festival.
The Sikh gathering at Amritsar at this time is long-standing; only the name Bandi Chhor Divas has become more widely used recently.
Every detail of the story is historically documented.
The Guru's detention at Gwalior is historical; details such as the cloak and the 52 rajas come to us through tradition.
Sources
- Ardas (Panthic prayer), closing lines
- Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 6 (Japji Sahib)
- The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University, Patiala
- Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies, Oxford University Press