Sikhism: Celebration and Pilgrimage » Bandi Chhor Divas
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 2 Sikhism (4RS1/2F), 2.1
- The events celebrated at Bandi Chhor Divas: Guru Hargobind, Jahangir and the 52 princes
- How Sikhs celebrate: remembering human rights, lighting lamps and giving gifts
- Different understandings of the festival and why it matters today
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In The Ten Gurus you met Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, who wore two swords and built the Akal Takht. This lesson tells the story of the festival that remembers one of the most famous events in his life. You will also see how Sikhs celebrate it and why it matters to them today.
What is Bandi Chhor Divas?
Bandi Chhor Divas means "the day of release of prisoners". It falls in October or November, at the same time as the Hindu festival of Diwali. For Sikhs it is a festival in its own right, with its own story. Sikhs do not celebrate it as the Hindu Diwali.
Key terms:
- Bandi Chhor Divas: the Sikh festival remembering the day Guru Hargobind was released and freed the 52 princes with him.
- Bandi Chhor: "the one who frees prisoners", a title given to Guru Hargobind.
- Gwalior Fort: the Mughal fortress where the Guru and the princes were held.
The events celebrated
Guru Hargobind became Guru after the martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjan, under the emperor Jahangir. Sikh tradition says the emperor later had the Guru held in Gwalior Fort. Already held there were 52 Hindu princes.
- The release. Jahangir agreed to free the Guru.
- The Guru's refusal. The Guru would not leave unless the princes were freed too. He believed it was wrong to walk free while others stayed in prison.
- The cloak. Tradition says that Jahangir answered that only those who could hold on to the Guru's cloak could leave with him. The Guru had a cloak made with 52 tassels, so each prince could take hold of one and walk out of the fort.
- The return. The Guru went home to Amritsar. The Sikhs there lit the Harmandir Sahib with lamps to welcome him back.
This is why the Guru is called Bandi Chhor. Sikhs remember that he cared about people who were not Sikhs. The princes were Hindu, yet he refused to leave them behind.
Spelling note
The spec prints "Gwailor". The usual spelling is Gwalior. Be consistent in your answers.
How Sikhs celebrate
⚖️ Remembering human rights
Sikhs remember that the Guru worked for the freedom of others, whatever their religion. Talks and sermons at the gurdwara stress that everyone should be free to live and worship. This links to the Sikh teaching on human rights you studied in Paper 1.
🪔 Lighting lamps
Homes and gurdwaras are filled with lamps and candles, remembering the lamps that lit the Harmandir Sahib when the Guru came home. At the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar the whole building is lit up, and there are fireworks.
🎁 Giving gifts
Families share gifts, cards and sweets with friends and neighbours. Sharing is a way of showing the joy of the day and the Guru's care for others.
Sikhs also go to the gurdwara, listen to kirtan and share karah prashad and langar. Gurdwaras are decorated, and the community eats together.
Different understandings and importance today
- Freedom and justice. Many Sikhs see it mainly as a reminder to stand up for people who are treated unfairly, including people of other faiths.
- The Guru's courage. For some Sikhs the focus is the Guru himself, his bravery and his wisdom in dealing with a powerful emperor.
- Festival or party? Some Sikhs say the day should be about prayer and service first. Others say fireworks, sweets and gifts are a good way to bring families and young people together.
- Diwali. Because it falls at the same time as Diwali, some Sikh families also join in Diwali as a cultural festival with friends and neighbours. Many Sikhs stress that Bandi Chhor Divas has its own meaning.
Common mistakes
- Saying Bandi Chhor Divas is the Sikh name for Diwali. It has a different story and meaning for Sikhs.
- Saying only the Guru was freed. The point is that he freed the 52 princes too.
- Describing the lamps and gifts without saying why they matter. Link them to the Guru's return and to freedom for others.
- Writing that the cloak story is certain history. It is tradition, and Sikhs value it for its message.
Exam-style question
(a) Outline two ways in which Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. [4 marks, Paper 2, AO1]
Model answer (a)
One way is to light lamps and candles in homes and gurdwaras (1), which remembers the lamps that lit the Harmandir Sahib when Guru Hargobind came home (1). A second way is to give gifts and sweets to family and neighbours (1), to share the joy of the day (1).
(b) Explain why Bandi Chhor Divas is important for Sikhs. [6 marks, Paper 2, AO1 and AO2]
Model answer (b)
Bandi Chhor Divas is important because it remembers the release of Guru Hargobind from Gwalior Fort. The Guru refused to leave unless the 52 Hindu princes were freed too, so Sikhs see him as Bandi Chhor, the one who frees prisoners. This shows Sikhs that they should care about the rights of everyone, whatever their religion. The festival is also important because it reminds Sikhs of the Guru's courage and cleverness in facing the emperor Jahangir, when the cloak with 52 tassels let each prince walk free. Lighting lamps at the Harmandir Sahib and in homes remembers how the Sikhs welcomed their Guru home, so it strengthens the community. Sharing gifts and food also brings Sikh families together.
(c) 'Bandi Chhor Divas is just the Sikh version of Diwali.' Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include reference to teachings, other points of view, and your own opinion. [10 marks, Paper 2, AO1 and AO2]
Plan for (c)
For: it falls at the same time as Diwali, both use lamps, lights and gifts, and some Sikh families join in Diwali as a cultural festival with their neighbours. Against: the story is different (Guru Hargobind, Jahangir, the 52 princes and the return to Amritsar), the Harmandir Sahib is the centre of the Sikh celebration, and it stresses freedom for people of every religion, in line with Sikh teaching on human rights. Many Sikhs say it is a festival in its own right. Possible conclusion: the dates and customs overlap, but the meaning is Sikh, so the statement is only partly true.
Exam tip
In a 6-mark "Explain" question, do not just list the lamps and gifts. Say why each one matters, using the Guru's refusal to leave without the princes.