AI Generated Summary
- Social worker Davinderpal Singh Pappu believes that Guru Sahib could have easily chosen to leave the prison alone, but by securing the release of the other kings as well, he gave a powerful message to all humanity.
- Diwali is a sacred festival for people of the Hindu faith because on this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and completing 14 years of exile.
- Just like the tradition of staging Ramleela and burning the effigy of Ravana on Dussehra, Diwali has also continued as a holy celebration in Hinduism.
Diwali is a sacred festival for people of the Hindu faith because on this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and completing 14 years of exile. To celebrate his return, the people of Ayodhya lit lamps of ghee and gave a grand welcome to Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Lakshman. Since then, Hindus celebrate this festival every year. Just like the tradition of staging Ramleela and burning the effigy of Ravana on Dussehra, Diwali has also continued as a holy celebration in Hinduism.
However, Diwali holds special significance in Sikhism as well, and for this reason, Sikhs celebrate Diwali as “Bandi Chhor Divas” (the Day of Liberation).
History mentions that the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, freed 52 Hindu kings who were imprisoned in Gwalior Fort. This happened during the time when Emperor Jahangir became upset with Guru Ji due to the establishment of the Akal Takht Sahib. As a result, he had Guru Ji imprisoned in Gwalior Fort, where 52 Hindu kings were already being held captive.
When Jahangir later learned about Guru Ji’s spiritual powers and greatness, he ordered his release. However, Guru Ji refused to leave the fort alone, insisting that the 52 imprisoned kings should also be released. Jahangir agreed, but with a condition: only those kings who could physically hold onto Guru Ji while exiting the fort would be freed.
To fulfill this condition, Guru Ji had a special robe (chola) made with 52 tassels (kalīs). Each king held onto one tassel, and in this way, all 52 were freed along with Guru Ji.
When Guru Ji arrived in Amritsar, the Sikh community welcomed him by lighting the entire city with lamps. Since that time, Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas, lighting lamps in their homes to commemorate this historic event.
Social worker Davinderpal Singh Pappu believes that Guru Sahib could have easily chosen to leave the prison alone, but by securing the release of the other kings as well, he gave a powerful message to all humanity. Similarly, Sikh organizations today should follow the path shown by Guru Sahib and unite for the betterment of the community.
