Happy Bandi Chhor Divas to Sikhs across the country and around the world! I’m wishing you and your loved ones the very best today – as you come together, illuminate your homes and gurdwaras, and share meals, sweets, and prayers. https://t.co/jg92E7Kux5
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 12, 2023
Bandi Chhor Divas (Punjabi: ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ (Gurmukhi); meaning“Day of Liberation”) is a Sikh celebration that commemorates the day the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind and 52 Hindu Kings were released from Gwalior Fort, who had been imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Emperor Jahangir had held 52 Kings at the Gwalior Fort for several months. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor Sahib is located at the place of the Gurus internment in the Fort. The day falls in autumn and often overlaps with Hindu Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated across Punjab. Historically, from the time of the third Sikh Guru Amar Das, Sikhs and Hindus of the time used the occasion of Diwali, Vaisakhi and other such festivals to congregate at the seat of the Gurus.[1][2][3] In 2003, Sikh religious leaders and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee led by Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar formally adopted this day into the Nanakshahi calendar.[4]
The Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated by the lighting up of homes and Gurdwaras, celebratory processions (nagar kirtan) and langar (community kitchen). It is an important Sikh celebration along with Vaisakhi, Hola Mohalla and Gurpurab.[4][5]
Along with the heartbreaking humanitarian crisis engulfing #Gaza, it pains me that the death toll in #occupied #WestBank is rapidly rising, including an Israeli air strike on a mosque and more deadly #SettlerViolence.
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) November 8, 2023
Those victims in #Palestine are certainly not Hamas! pic.twitter.com/r7ZXgGMiOt