Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali: History, Differences and Why They Are Observed Together
Sikhs light lamps on the same night as Diwali, but they are remembering something different. How the two observances came to share a date, what separates them, and how families navigate both.
Published Updated 6 min read
In this article
Walk through a Punjabi neighbourhood on the night of Diwali and you will see lamps in almost every window. From outside, it is impossible to tell whose lamps mark which festival. Inside a Hindu home, a family may be performing Lakshmi puja. Next door, a Sikh family may be returning from the gurdwara, where the story of Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort was told. Both households are celebrating, on the same night and in similar ways, but they are remembering different things.
This article explains how Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali came to share a date, what makes each distinct, and how families and communities live with both.
Two observances, one night
Diwali, or Deepavali, "a row of lamps", is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in South Asia. It is observed by Hindus, Jains and many Sikhs, as well as by people of other backgrounds who join the festivities. In north India, its central Hindu story is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The day is also associated with the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Jains mark it as the anniversary of Mahavira's liberation (nirvana).
Bandi Chhor Divas is the Sikh observance of the same night. It remembers the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Guru, from detention at Gwalior Fort, along with fifty-two imprisoned kings, and his return to Amritsar, where Sikhs lit lamps in welcome. The full story is told in Bandi Chhor Divas: History, Meaning and the Story Behind the Celebration.
How the dates came together
The overlap is not coincidence, and it did not begin with Guru Hargobind Ji. It developed over roughly two centuries.
- Guru Amar Das Ji's gatherings. Tradition records that the third Guru named Diwali, along with Vaisakhi, as an occasion for Sikhs to gather in the Guru's presence. Diwali was already a major seasonal festival in Punjab, and the Guru gave it a new purpose as a time of sangat.
- Guru Hargobind Ji's return. According to Sikh tradition, the Guru reached Amritsar around Diwali after his release. The lamps lit to welcome him gave the Sikh observance its own story.
- The Sarbat Khalsa. In the eighteenth century, Diwali and Vaisakhi were the two occasions when the Sikh community met at Amritsar to deliberate and decide on common affairs, often at great personal risk.
- The name "Bandi Chhor Divas". In the twentieth century, Sikh institutions increasingly used this name to emphasise the Sikh meaning of the day. It is now the standard term in gurdwaras and much of the Sikh diaspora.
What is shared and what is distinct
| Bandi Chhor Divas | Diwali | |
|---|---|---|
| Observed by | Sikhs | Hindus, Jains, many Sikhs and others |
| Central story | Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort and return to Amritsar | In north India, Rama's return to Ayodhya; Lakshmi puja; for Jains, Mahavira's nirvana |
| Main theme | Freedom, justice for others, resilience | Light over darkness, good over evil, prosperity |
| Focal place | Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, and local gurdwaras | Homes and temples; varies by region and community |
| Central religious practice | Kirtan, katha, Ardas, Akhand Path, langar | Puja, including Lakshmi puja, with rituals that vary by region |
| Length | A single day, often with an Akhand Path concluding on the day | Often a five-day festival in north India |
| Common customs | Lamps, candles, lights, sweets, fireworks, family visits | Lamps, rangoli, sweets, new clothes, fireworks, family visits |
The customs overlap considerably: lamps, lights, sweets, fireworks and time with family. The religious content does not. A Sikh observance of the day centres on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, kirtan and the story of the Guru. It does not include the worship of deities, which is not part of Sikh practice.
The scene at Amritsar
The celebrations at Sri Harmandir Sahib show the Sikh character of the day clearly. The complex is lit with electric lights and thousands of lamps placed around the sarovar by devotees. Kirtan continues through the day and evening, and a fireworks display lights up the sky over the shrine. The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib traditionally issues a message to the community. A popular Punjabi saying, "Dal roti ghar di, Diwali Amritsar di", roughly "simple food at home, but Diwali at Amritsar", captures how special the occasion has long been in Punjab.
How Sikh families navigate both
In practice, Sikh families approach the night in different ways, and there is no single pattern.
- Many emphasise Bandi Chhor Divas. They attend the gurdwara, light lamps at home, tell the story of the fifty-two kings and share sweets, and use the name Bandi Chhor Divas.
- Many also join wider festivities. In mixed neighbourhoods, workplaces and families, Sikhs exchange Diwali greetings, gifts and sweets with Hindu friends and relatives as a matter of friendship and shared culture.
- Some are careful to distinguish the two. They may avoid practices with specific religious meaning in Hindu worship, such as Lakshmi puja, while happily sharing the social side of the festival.
For interfaith families, a common approach is to honour both stories openly, explaining to children what each tradition remembers and why.
Explaining the difference: a note for schools and workplaces
If you are organising a Diwali event at a school or workplace, a few simple steps make Sikh colleagues and pupils feel included:
- Name both observances, for example "Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas", in announcements and calendars.
- Tell both stories. A short explanation of Guru Hargobind Ji's release, alongside the Diwali stories, is often welcomed.
- Avoid assuming that every Sikh family marks the day in the same way.
- Remember Jain and other communities too, who have their own reasons for celebrating the same night.
Our short explainer Bandi Chhor Divas in English is written with exactly these readers in mind.
Greetings
Common greetings on the day include:
- "Happy Bandi Chhor Divas", the greeting that recognises the Sikh meaning.
- "Bandi Chhor Divas diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan", a Punjabi greeting, "many congratulations on Bandi Chhor Divas".
- "Happy Diwali", which most Sikhs receive warmly as a friendly gesture.
Saying both, "Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas", is common and always appropriate.
A note on fireworks and the environment
Fireworks have long been part of the celebration in Punjab, including at Amritsar. In recent years, concerns about air quality and safety, especially in north India in autumn, have led many families, gurdwaras and local authorities to limit fireworks or switch to lamps and lights alone. Check local rules where you live.
Summary
Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali fall on the same night, the new moon of Kartik, and share customs such as lamps, sweets and time with family. Their meanings are different. Diwali, for many Hindus, celebrates Rama's return and the worship of Lakshmi, and for Jains the liberation of Mahavira. Bandi Chhor Divas remembers Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort and his refusal to leave other prisoners behind. The shared date grew out of centuries of Sikh gatherings at Diwali, and today both observances light up the same autumn night.
Frequently asked questions
Do Sikhs celebrate Diwali?
Many Sikhs celebrate the night as Bandi Chhor Divas, remembering Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort. Customs such as lighting lamps and sharing sweets overlap with Diwali, and many Sikh families join in wider Diwali festivities with neighbours and friends, but the Sikh religious meaning of the day is Bandi Chhor Divas.
Is Bandi Chhor Divas the same day as Diwali?
Yes. Both fall on the new moon (Amavas) of the lunar month of Kartik. Occasionally local calendars or time zones cause a one-day difference in how the date is listed, so check your gurdwara's programme.
Is it acceptable to wish a Sikh 'Happy Diwali'?
It is almost always received warmly. Many Sikhs appreciate 'Happy Bandi Chhor Divas' because it recognises the Sikh meaning of the day, and saying both is common and friendly.
