Bandi Chhor Divas: Honoring the Release of Guru Hargobind, the Sixth Sikh Guru

Bandi Chhor Divas in Punjabi is ‘Gurmukhi,’ which means "liberation of prisoners.” It is a significant holiday in Sikh culture celebrated by the Sikhs as the day their Sixth Guru, Hargobind Sahib, and 52 other Hindu political prisoners were freed during the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

Sikhs greet ‘Happy Bandi Chhor Divas!’’ to the public, which will be observed this year on October 24, the same day as Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali are two different important events that were commonly intertwined. While the Hindu holiday of Diwali has significance, the Sikh holiday of Bandi Chhor Divas honors the Guru's freedom. The only similarity between the two occasions is that Guru Hargobind returned to Amritsar after being freed during the festival of Diwali.

The Bandi Chhor Divas also commemorates Bhai Mani Singh, a martyr who was put to death in 1734 for refusing to pay fees, fines and taxes for religious gatherings.

History of Bandi Chhor Divas: The Events Leading Up to Guru Hargobind's Arrest and Release

Photo credit: Metro.co.uk

Hargobind's father, Guru Arjan Dev, was tortured and put to death by Jahangir because of Chandu Shah, a member of the emperor's court, who had been spreading baseless accusations about him out of envy. Inheriting his father's possessions, Hargobind seized the chance to bring the city to its glory. 

The Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, popularly known as "The Throne of Almighty," was built by Guru Hargobind, who also succeeded in fortifying his army. This served as a warning to Murtaja Khan, the Nawab of Lahore, who lied to the emperor in a report, claiming that Hargobind was preparing to exact retribution for his father's death.

Emperor Jahangir received the information and directed Wazir Khan and Guncha Beg to have Hargobind arrested. However, Wazir Khan was a guru disciple, so he asked him to see the emperor instead of having Hargobind be arrested.

When Guru Hargobind and Emperor Jahangir first met, Jahangir was enthralled by the youthful, innocent, and alluring Guru. The monarch asked the Guru which faith was superior: Islam or Hinduism. Hargobind's response, which consisted of reciting passages from an Indian poet and mystic named Kabir, whose works influenced Hinduism, impressed Jahangir. Guru Hargobind rescued Jahangir's life during a hunting expedition from a lion attack, which eventually led to the beginning of their friendship.

Chandu Shah, who detested Arjan Dev and Hargobind, fooled Jahangir by coming up with a scheme to imprison the young Guru when the emperor fell gravely ill while staying in Agra. The emperor would only be healed if a holy man would travel and reside at Gwalior Fort and persistently pray for him. Shah urged the astrologers to tell the monarch and added that Hargobind was the only individual qualified for the job. Hargobind enquired, and the emperor granted his request.

Despite discovering that the Gwalior Fort was a jail, Guru Hargobind agreed with the emperor's order and prayed for Jahangir's well-being with the noble prisoners. It was unknown how long the Guru was imprisoned, but because the governor of the fort was also a believer, he made notable changes in the prison.

After some time, Guru Hargobind's supporters—led by Baba Buddha—became concerned about his detention and requested his release from the now-healed emperor Sai Mian Mir, a Sufi saint, was instrumental in brokering the Guru's release from imprisonment and persuading Emperor Jahangir to do so. However, Guru Hargobind had one requirement: He had to be released along with the Rajput princes held in custody.

Guru Hargobind's day of release from prison

Only those carrying their cloak or Chola on their way out can be released. Jahangir, who at first was reluctant to accept, said Guru Hargobind used cunning planning to create a heavy, long cloak with 52 tails for each prisoner to hang onto. In the end, both the Guru and the 52 princes were freed. When Guru Hargobind came to Amritsar in 1619, the Diwali festival was in full swing.

Bandi Chhor Divas 2022 Ceremonies

Photo credit: Flickr.com

The Guru Granth Sahib is read aloud continuously as a street parade and fireworks display at night. A group of believers of Bandi Chhor Divas wishes health, wealth, and happiness to everyone during the ceremony.