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'''Diwali''' is a very important [[Hindu]] festival when the Lord Rama returned home after a santion of 14 years. On this same Diwali day, the [[Sikh]] celebrate the return of the sixth Nanak, [[Guru Hargobind]] from detention in the Gwalior Fort. The day when the Guru was released coincides with the [[Hindu]] festival of Diwali. This coincidence has resulted in similarity of celebration amongst [[Sikh]]s and [[Hindu]]s.
[[Image:Guruhargobindreturnamritsar.jpg|thumb|right|300px|When the Guru reached Amritsar, coincidently it was Diwali - hence it added another happy moment to the previous celebrations enjoyed by the Sikhs and Hindus alike.]]


'''Diwali or Deepavali''' is a significant religious festival in mainly the [[Hinduism]] religion but is celebrated in [[Sikhism]], and [[Jainism]] as well. It is also popularly known as the ''"Festival of Lights"'' and is a lunar-calendar based event that occurs between mid-October and mid-November. The word "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,  Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore,  and Fiji.


The Sikhs celebrate this day as [[Bandi Chhorh Divas]] i.e., "the day of release of detainees", because the sixth Nanak had agreed to his release on the condition that the other fifty-two detainees would also be released. These other fifty-two detainees were the vassal kings who had done something to annoy the emperor.  
For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of their religious calendar and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in  their homes. This involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned,  both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.


==Significance in Sikhism==
====Bandi Chhorh Divas====


[[Emperor Jahangir]] had imprisoned the sixth Nanak because he was afraid of the Guru's growing following and power. The [[Sikh]]s on this day, which generally falls in october-November, hold a one-day celebrations in the [[Gurdwara]]s. So in the evening, illuminations are done with Deewé (earthen oil lamps) or candles and fireworks. The celebrations are held both in the Gurdwaras and in homes.
Sikhs celebrate Diwali after celebration of [[Bandi Chhorh Divas]].


Sikhs celebrate [[Bandi Chhorh Divas]] to mark the return of the sixth Guru, [[Guru Hargobind]] Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to arrange the release of 52 Hindu kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by making clever use of Emperor Jahangir's orders. Jahagir had ordered that to allow anyone who could hold on to the Gurus coat tails to leave the fort with the Guru  (October, 1619).


'''This Shabad is by [[Bhai Gurdas]] Ji''':
And so the kings/rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the "Bandi Chhor" (Deliverer from prison). He arrived at [[Amritsar]] on Diwali day and the Harmandar (also known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return and hence the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" ("prisoner release day", "freedom day").


====Martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Ji====
[[File:Photo by AFP- Dawn News.jpg|thumb|left|400px|Golden Temple, Photo from Feature in Dawn News]]
{{Main|Bhai Mani Singh}}
(from wikipedia)
An important [[Sikh]] event associated with Diwali is the martyrdom of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist [[Bhai Mani Singh]] in [[1737]].  Bhai Mani Singh was the [[Granthi]] (keeper/reader of Sikh scripture) of Harmandir Sahib (popularly known as the [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]]). He transcribed the final version of [[Guru Granth Sahib]] dictated to him by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1704.
Bhai Mani Singh assumed charge of [[Harmandir Sahib]]'s management in 1708. In 1737, he received permission from Zakariya Khan, the then [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] governor of Punjab, to hold a religious gathering of the [[Khalsa]] for celebrating ''Bandi Chhorh Diwas'' on the auspicious day of Diwali for a large tax of 5000 Rupees. He expected to put together the required sum from contribution made by the Sikhs who would assemble that day. But on discovered Zakariya Khan's plot to kill the Sikhs during the gathering, he sent out messages warning them not to turn up for the meeting. As a result the tax could not be paid and Zakariya Khan ordered Bhai Mani Singh's execution at [[Lahore]].
Ever since the Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrated during Diwali is also commemorated the martyrdom of [[Bhai Mani Singh]]. It is also believed that this event along with other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventual success in establishing the Khalsa rule in the north of [[Delhi]].
====Uprising against the Mughal Empire====
(from wikipedia)
The festival of Diwali became the second most important day after the [[Baisakhi]], when [[Khalsa]] was formally established by the Tenth [[Guru Gobind Singh]] in 1699.
The Sikh struggle against [[Mughal Empire]]'s atrocities on non-Muslims, especially on Sikhs, which intensified in the 18th century, came to be centered around this day. After the execution of [[Banda Bahadur]] in 1716, who had led the agrarian uprising in [[Punjab region|Punjab]], the Sikhs started the tradition of deciding matters concerning the community at the biennial meetings which took place at [[Amritsar]] on the first of Baisakh and at Diwali. These assemblies were known as the [[Sarbat Khalsa]] and a resolution passed by it became a [[gurmata]] (decree of the Guru).
-------------
'''Diwali is celebrated by [[Sikh]]s because Guru Hargobind returned to [[Amritsar]] after his imprisonment at Gwalior where he also won the freedom of 52 innocent Princes who had long been imprisoned at Gwakior for political reasons.
Bhai Gurdas narrated the whole story telling us what happened:
Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, had been arrested for political reasons. The Mughal Emperor now decided that the religious fundamentalists that had been behind the martyrdom of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjun, were a greater threat to his throne.The Mughal Emperor, therefore, offered to free Guru Hargobind but Guru Hargobind refused to take his freedom until 52 princes who had also been detained for political reasons were also freed.The Emperor offered that all those who could hold the Guru's cloak could go free. 52 tassles were attached to the Guru's cloak and holding to his cloak all the 52 princes went free.
In addition to Nagar keertan (a street procession) and an Akhand paath (a continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib), Diwali is celebrated by an awesome fireworks display. The Golden Temple as well as the whole complex is festooned with thousands of shimmering lights, creating a unique jewelbox effect.
-------------
{{Quoter|Vaars Bhai Gurdaas on Pannaa 19|dheevaalee dhee raath dheevae baaleeani <br>
{{Quoter|Vaars Bhai Gurdaas on Pannaa 19|dheevaalee dhee raath dheevae baaleeani <br>
Lamps are lighted in the night of divali festival; <br><br>
Lamps are lighted in the night of divali festival; <br><br>


thaarae jaath sanaath a(n)bar bhaaleeani <br>
thaarae jaath sanaath a(n)bar bhaaleeani <br>
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All these are momentary, but the gurmukhs with the help of the Word nourish the gift of the pleasure fruit.<br>}}
All these are momentary, but the gurmukhs with the help of the Word nourish the gift of the pleasure fruit.<br>}}


==Significance in Hinduism==
The story of Diwali is the festival of lights when, according to Indian lore, Lord Rama returned home after destroying the demon god Ravana who had taken away Rama’s wife, Sita.


==See Also==


== Other Associations with Diwali ==
* [[Bandi Chhorh Divas]]
 
* [[Guru Hargobind]]
 
The story of Divali for the Sikhs is a story of the Sikh struggle for freedom. From the time of [[Guru Nanak]] (1469 – 1539), the founder of [[Sikhism]], popular seasonal or folk festivals like the harvest festival of [[Vaisakhi]], or ancient mythological festivals like [[Holi]] and Divali, or worship rituals like Aarti, began to take on a new significance for the Guru’s students, the Sikhs. The Guru used these festivals and special days e.g. first day of each lunar month, as symbols or pegs for his teaching themes. And so the Sikhs were slowly diverted from darkness of superstitious ritualism based on fear and ignorance to an enlightened ideology based on reason and belief in One Creator. The enlightened ideology of [[Guru Nanak]] gave new significance to ancient festivals like Divali and [[Vaisakhi]]..
 
 
So what about Divali, the festival of lights when, according to Indian lore, Lord Rama returned home after destroying the demon god Ravana who had taken away Rama’s wife, Sita? The story has less of a significance to Sikhs. However, in the Sikh struggle for freedom from the oppressive Mughal regime, the festival of Divali did become the second most important day after the Vaisakhi festival in April.
 
 
The Sixth [[Guru Hargobind]], was freed from imprisonment in the famous fort of Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir in October, 1619. The reason for the young Guru’s imprisonment was no more than religious bigotry. The Guru’s father, [[Guru Arjan]], had been martyred for the same reason. According to Sikh tradition, the Guru agreed to be freed only if the other Indian chiefs (rajahs) imprisoned with him were freed. [[Jahangir]] was under pressure from moderate but influential [[Muslim]] religious leaders like [[Hajrat Mian Mir]], a friend of the Guru. So he relented grudgingly and ordained, "Let those rajahs be freed who can hold on to the Guru’s coat tails and walk out of prison". He had in mind no more than four or five being freed with the Guru. However, the Guru was not to be outmanoeuvred in this way. He asked for a special coat to be made with 52 coat tails - same number as the rajahs in prison with him! And so the rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the "Bandi Chhor" (Deliverer from prison). He arrived at [[Amritsar]] on the Divali day and the Har Mandar (now known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps i.e. he was received in the same way as the Lord Rama and the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" (the day of freedom).
 
 
Thenceforth, the [[Sikh]] struggle for freedom, which intensified in the 18th Century, came to be centred around this day. In addition to the [[Vaisakhi]] day (now in April), when [[Khalsa]], the Sikh nation was formally established by the Tenth [[Guru Gobind Singh]], Divali became the second day in the years when the Khalsa met and planned their freedom strategy.
 
 
Another important Sikh event associated with Divali is the martyrdom in 1734 of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist [[Bhai Mani Singh]], the Granthi (priest) of [[Harmandar Sahib]] (Golden Temple). He had refused to pay a special tax on a religious meeting of the [[Khalsa]] on the Divali day. This and other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventually success in establishing the [[Khalsa]] rule north of Delhi
 
 
* Above is an account from [http://allaboutsikhs.com/way/divali.htm allaboutsikhs.com]
 
 
== Quotes supporting this View ==
 
=== www.sikh-history.com ===
 
* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/diwali.html www.sikh-history.com]
 
Among the Sikhs, Diwali came to have special significance from the day the town of Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) who had been held captive in the Fort at Gwalior under the orders of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir (1570-1627).
 
=== www.bbc.co.uk ===
 
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/hinduism/diwali.shtml www.bbc.co.uk/]]
 
Diwali is also a Sikh festival. It particular it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind, in 1619. Sikhs had celebrated Diwali for many years before that and the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577.
 
 
=== www.sikhstudy.com ===
 
* [http://www.sikhstudy.com/diwali_for_sikhs.html www.sikhstudy.com]
 
The Third Sikh Teacher, Guru Amar Das institutionalized this as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings at Goindwal. In 1577 the foundation stone of The Golden Temple was laid on Diwali. The Diwali festival took place during the life of the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib.
 
 
=== www.sikhworld.co.uk ===
 
* [http://www.sikhworld.co.uk/page22.html www.sikhworld.co.uk]
 
The Indian festival of lights held around October 25th. Guru Amar Das institutionalised this as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings at Goindwal. In 1577 the foundation stone of The Golden Temple was laid on Diwali. On Diwali 1619 the Golden Temple was illuminated with many lights to welcome home and celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment in Gwalior fort. Sikhs have continued this annual celebration with lamps being lit outside gurdwaras and sweets distributed to all. The largest gathering happens at The Golden Temple which is lit up with thousands of lights.
 
 
=== www.sikhnet.com ===
 
* [http://www.sikhnet.com/s/wallpaper4 www.sikhnet.com]
 
A Sikh Lighting candles along the side of the marble walkway around the Golden Temple on Diwali.
 
 
== Alternative View ==
 
 
Diwali is a Hindu festival, and is based around the story of Ram returning to his captial after 12 years of exile.  Hindus worship Fire and the Goddess of Wealth on this day and celebrate it by playing with fireworks, eating sweets and drinking alcohol, the last one being strictly prohibited by Sikhism.  Diwali is wrongly celebrated by a number of Sikhs: it is NOT a Sikh festival. 
 
How did the mistake come about?
• Sikhs have nothing to do with Diwali, and never celebrated it until the first decade of the Nineteenth Century, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign
 
• It was the impact of his Hindu advisors, notably ministers like Khushal Chand and Dhian Singh Dogra, that influenced Maharaja Ranjit Singh into celebrating Diwali, betraying his own Sikh faith
 
The LIE:
• The Brahmins convinced Maharaja Ranjit Singh that when Guru HarGobind Dev Ji reached Amritsar after his release from Gwalior jail, it was the day of Diwali, and as a result, the Sikhs lit earthen lamps to celebrate it
 
Maharaja Ranjit Singh did not know much about Sikh history or philosophy, so he was easily manipulated by his advisors, who wanted Hinduism to creep back into Sikhism. 
 
The TRUTH:
• Guru HarGobind Dev Ji actually reached Amritsar on December 28th 1620, NOT on Diwali.
• It is true that Sikhs did light earthen lamps on that day but December 28th 1620 was not a Hindu Diwali Day. 
• Furthermore, to highlight just how much this lie was a lie, Guru HarGobind Dev Ji left Amritsar for Keeratpur Sahib in 1634-5.  After he moved, Amritsar remained in the control of the Pirthi Chand Mina family, who didn’t like the Guru. 
 
Question: If they didn’t like Guru HarGobind Dev Ji, why would they have celebrated his release from jail?
Answer: They never did! It was ALL a lie!
 
The Sikhs used to gather outside Shri Akal Takhat on each Diwali and Vaisakhi day simply because in those days, there was no calendar other than the Hindu calendar.  The Sikhs, who at this time were being persecuted, were living in hideouts in the hills and plains.  As a result, it was easy for the Sikhs, even in their hideouts, to know about these dates and hold gatherings. 
 
Otherwise, there was no question of celebrating Diwali or even Vaisakhi, which only became important after Guru Gobind Singh Ji formed the Khalsa Panth in 1699.
 
So you see, celebrating Diwali was an attempt by the Hindu ministers of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as well as the Hindu managers of Shri Darbar Sahib to bring back Hinduism, despite our own Gurus warning us against it!
 
The power that the Brahmins held over Maharaja Ranjit Singh was so immense, that in his later days, he made no decision without their approval, therefore laying the seeds of defeat of Punjab in later years.  The chief priest of Darbar Sahib, Sant Singh, was more Hindu than Sikh: he even had a statue of Ganesh in his entrance!
 
These elements were successful in fooling the Sikhs to celebrate Diwali at Darbar Sahib and carrying on with the tradition even now.  Let’s be clear: Sikhs have nothing to do with Diwali.


Be proud to be Sikh, be proud in the accomplishments of your Gurus and your forefathers, and be proud of your glorious history: don’t ever betray it!  Let us stand shoulder to shoulder and celebrate Sikhi like it should be celebrated!


United We Stand, Divided We Fall
==References==
'''This Shabad is by [[Bhai Gurdas]] Ji''': [http://www.sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=5967 www.sikhitothemax.com]


Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!


(Facts taken from Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Publishers: Singh Brothers, Amritsar)
[[Category:Guru Har gobind]]

Latest revision as of 08:15, 19 October 2017

When the Guru reached Amritsar, coincidently it was Diwali - hence it added another happy moment to the previous celebrations enjoyed by the Sikhs and Hindus alike.

Diwali or Deepavali is a significant religious festival in mainly the Hinduism religion but is celebrated in Sikhism, and Jainism as well. It is also popularly known as the "Festival of Lights" and is a lunar-calendar based event that occurs between mid-October and mid-November. The word "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of their religious calendar and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. This involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Significance in Sikhism

Bandi Chhorh Divas

Sikhs celebrate Diwali after celebration of Bandi Chhorh Divas.

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to arrange the release of 52 Hindu kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by making clever use of Emperor Jahangir's orders. Jahagir had ordered that to allow anyone who could hold on to the Gurus coat tails to leave the fort with the Guru (October, 1619).

And so the kings/rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the "Bandi Chhor" (Deliverer from prison). He arrived at Amritsar on Diwali day and the Harmandar (also known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return and hence the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" ("prisoner release day", "freedom day").

Martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Ji

Golden Temple, Photo from Feature in Dawn News
Main article: Bhai Mani Singh

(from wikipedia) An important Sikh event associated with Diwali is the martyrdom of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh in 1737. Bhai Mani Singh was the Granthi (keeper/reader of Sikh scripture) of Harmandir Sahib (popularly known as the Golden Temple). He transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib dictated to him by Guru Gobind Singh in 1704.

Bhai Mani Singh assumed charge of Harmandir Sahib's management in 1708. In 1737, he received permission from Zakariya Khan, the then Mughal governor of Punjab, to hold a religious gathering of the Khalsa for celebrating Bandi Chhorh Diwas on the auspicious day of Diwali for a large tax of 5000 Rupees. He expected to put together the required sum from contribution made by the Sikhs who would assemble that day. But on discovered Zakariya Khan's plot to kill the Sikhs during the gathering, he sent out messages warning them not to turn up for the meeting. As a result the tax could not be paid and Zakariya Khan ordered Bhai Mani Singh's execution at Lahore.

Ever since the Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrated during Diwali is also commemorated the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh. It is also believed that this event along with other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventual success in establishing the Khalsa rule in the north of Delhi.

Uprising against the Mughal Empire

(from wikipedia) The festival of Diwali became the second most important day after the Baisakhi, when Khalsa was formally established by the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

The Sikh struggle against Mughal Empire's atrocities on non-Muslims, especially on Sikhs, which intensified in the 18th century, came to be centered around this day. After the execution of Banda Bahadur in 1716, who had led the agrarian uprising in Punjab, the Sikhs started the tradition of deciding matters concerning the community at the biennial meetings which took place at Amritsar on the first of Baisakh and at Diwali. These assemblies were known as the Sarbat Khalsa and a resolution passed by it became a gurmata (decree of the Guru).

Diwali is celebrated by Sikhs because Guru Hargobind returned to Amritsar after his imprisonment at Gwalior where he also won the freedom of 52 innocent Princes who had long been imprisoned at Gwakior for political reasons.

Bhai Gurdas narrated the whole story telling us what happened: Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, had been arrested for political reasons. The Mughal Emperor now decided that the religious fundamentalists that had been behind the martyrdom of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjun, were a greater threat to his throne.The Mughal Emperor, therefore, offered to free Guru Hargobind but Guru Hargobind refused to take his freedom until 52 princes who had also been detained for political reasons were also freed.The Emperor offered that all those who could hold the Guru's cloak could go free. 52 tassles were attached to the Guru's cloak and holding to his cloak all the 52 princes went free.

In addition to Nagar keertan (a street procession) and an Akhand paath (a continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib), Diwali is celebrated by an awesome fireworks display. The Golden Temple as well as the whole complex is festooned with thousands of shimmering lights, creating a unique jewelbox effect.

Vaars Bhai Gurdaas on Pannaa 19
dheevaalee dhee raath dheevae baaleeani

Lamps are lighted in the night of divali festival;


thaarae jaath sanaath a(n)bar bhaaleeani
Stars of different variety appear in the sky;

fulaa(n) dhee baagaath chun chun chaaleeani
In the gardens the flowers are there which are selectively plucked;

theerathh jaathee jaath nain nihaaleeani
The pilgrims going to pilgrimage centres are also seen.

har cha(n)dhuree jhaath vasaae ouchaaleeani
The imaginary habitats have been seen coming into being and vanishing.

guramukh sukhafal dhaath shabadh samhaaleean a
All these are momentary, but the gurmukhs with the help of the Word nourish the gift of the pleasure fruit.

Significance in Hinduism

The story of Diwali is the festival of lights when, according to Indian lore, Lord Rama returned home after destroying the demon god Ravana who had taken away Rama’s wife, Sita.

See Also


References

This Shabad is by Bhai Gurdas Ji: www.sikhitothemax.com

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