Bandi Chhor Divas
The Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated to commemorate the sixth guru of the Sikhs. The sixth guru of the Sikhs is Guru Hargobind. He imprisoned Jahangir (the Mughal Emperor), secured the release of 52 Hindu kings (imprisoned by Mughal rulers) and symbolized the Sikh value of standing against persecution.
About Bandi Chhor Divas
The day often overlaps with Diwali celebrations. The Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated by lighting homes and Gurudwaras. It was on this day, Guru Hargobind was released from the Gwalior prison along with 52 Hindu kings. People do Akhand paath (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), Nagar keertan (street procession) on this day. Also, fireworks are lit. The Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is decorated with lights on this day.
History
The father of Hargobind, Guru Arjan Dev (the fifth Guru of the Sikhs) was arrested on the orders of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. He was forced to convert to Islam. Arjan Dev refused. He was tortured and executed in 1606. This event is defined in the Indian history as Martyrdom of Guru Arjan. After his father’s execution, Guru Hargobind succeeded as the sixth guru at the age of 11. He put on two swords. One indicated his resolution to maintain spiritual authority and the other sword indicated his temporal authority. The swords were named piri and miri.
Guru Hargobind
The other names of Guru Hargobind are Saccha Paatshah, the Sixth Master, The Master of Miri Piri and Sixth Nanak. Nanaki was his wife. Guru Tegh Bahadur (ninth Guru of the Sikhs) was his son. He built the Akal Takhat in the Golden Temple premises. He raised his army from here. He was the first Sikh guru to engage in warfare. He advised the Sikhs to take part in martial arts and military training. He founded the Kiratpur Sahib. Kiratpur Sahib is located in Punjab. The seventh and eight gurus of the Sikh community were born and brought up here. He supervised the creation of Taus. He fought historic battles such as Battle of Rohilla, Battle of Kartarpur, Battle of Amritsar (1634), Battle of Lahira and Battle of Hargobindpur. He was succeeded by Guru Har Rai.
