Bandi Chhor Divas in English: Meaning, History and Sikh Significance
A clear English explanation of Bandi Chhor Divas: what the words mean, how to pronounce and spell them, why 'chhor' does not mean 'thief', and a short version of the story you can share with friends, colleagues or children.
Published Updated 5 min read
In this article
Every autumn, schools, offices and councils in countries with Sikh communities add a new name to their festival calendars alongside Diwali: Bandi Chhor Divas. If you have seen the name and wondered what it means, how to say it, or how to explain it to someone else, this guide is for you. It is intentionally concise. For the full history, see our longer article on the story behind Bandi Chhor Divas.
What the words mean
The name has three parts:
| Word | Gurmukhi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bandi | ਬੰਦੀ | Prisoner, captive |
| Chhor | ਛੋੜ | Release, liberation; one who releases |
| Divas | ਦਿਵਸ | Day |
Together, Bandi Chhor means "the one who releases prisoners", a title given to Guru Hargobind Ji. Bandi Chhor Divas is the day that remembers him in this role. In everyday English, it is usually translated as the "Day of Liberation" or "Prisoners' Release Day".
A common misunderstanding: chhor is not chor
Because of how the word is often pronounced by non-Punjabi speakers, some people assume chhor means "thief". It does not. Punjabi has two different words:
- ਛੋੜ (chhor), with an aspirated chh, a ch sound followed by a puff of breath, and a retroflex final consonant. It relates to releasing and letting go.
- ਚੋਰ (chor), with a plain ch, meaning thief.
The name is about liberation, not theft. It is a small point, but one that Sikh friends often appreciate being understood.
How to pronounce and spell it
A reasonable English approximation is BUN-dee CHHORE DIV-us:
- Bandi: the first syllable rhymes roughly with "bun".
- Chhor: a ch with a slight breath after it, then "or". The final sound in Punjabi is a flapped r, made by curling the tongue back, which is why it is sometimes written rh.
- Divas: "div" as in "divvy", then a short "us". Many people say Diwas, with a w sound.
The spellings you will see all reflect the same Punjabi words:
- Bandi Chhor Divas, the most common form in English.
- Bandi Chhor Diwas, reflecting the w pronunciation.
- Bandi Chhorh Divas, marking the retroflex final sound.
- Bandi Chhod Divas, a spelling influenced by Hindi.
Any of these is fine. If you are writing for a school or workplace, "Bandi Chhor Divas" is the safest choice.
The story in one minute
In the early seventeenth century, Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir in Gwalior Fort in central India. Also held there, according to Sikh tradition, were fifty-two kings or chieftains. When the emperor eventually ordered the Guru's release, the Guru refused to leave unless the other prisoners were freed too. The emperor said that anyone who could hold on to the Guru's cloak as he left could go. The Guru had a cloak made with fifty-two tassels, and every one of the kings walked out holding one.
When the Guru returned to Amritsar, around the time of Diwali, the Sikh community lit lamps to welcome him. Sikhs have lit lamps to remember that homecoming ever since.
Why it matters to Sikhs
Bandi Chhor Divas is not only a historical anniversary. Sikhs reflect on several ideas at this time:
- Standing up for others. The Guru would not accept freedom for himself alone. The kings he freed were not his followers.
- Justice and dignity. The story is often connected to the Sikh duty to stand against oppression.
- Hope in hard times. The imprisonment followed the martyrdom of the Guru's father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and the release brought renewed hope.
- Inner freedom. In gurdwara talks, the story is also used to speak about freedom from ego, anger and greed.
How it is celebrated
In brief:
- At the gurdwara: kirtan (sung hymns), katha (talks on the story), Ardas (prayer), often an Akhand Path (a continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji), and langar (a free community meal).
- At Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar: the complex is lit with thousands of lamps and lights, with a fireworks display in the evening.
- At home: lamps and candles, sweets shared with neighbours, and family time.
Is it the same as Diwali?
It falls on the same night as Diwali, and the customs of lamps and sweets overlap, but the meaning is different. Diwali, for many Hindus, celebrates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya and the worship of Lakshmi, and for Jains the liberation of Mahavira. Bandi Chhor Divas remembers Guru Hargobind Ji's release. Our article on Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali explains how the two came to share a date.
Explaining it to children
A simple version for young children might go like this:
A long time ago, a wise and brave Sikh Guru called Guru Hargobind Ji was locked in a big fort. Lots of kings were locked up there too. When the emperor said the Guru could go home, the Guru said, "Not unless my friends can come too." So the emperor made a tricky rule: only people holding the Guru's cloak could leave. The Guru made a special cloak with fifty-two tassels, one for every king, and they all walked out together. When he got home to Amritsar, everyone lit lamps to say welcome. That's why Sikhs light lamps on Bandi Chhor Divas.
Questions to talk about afterwards: Why did the Guru wait for the others? When have you helped someone who needed it?
For schools, councils and workplaces
A few practical suggestions:
- List it by name on the calendar, for example "Diwali / Bandi Chhor Divas".
- Check the date each year. It follows the lunar calendar, usually falling in October or November. Our practical guide to Sikh dates explains how to confirm it.
- Ask, don't assume. Sikh families mark the day in different ways.
- Greetings: "Happy Bandi Chhor Divas" is always appropriate. "Bandi Chhor Divas diyan vadhaiyan" is a Punjabi greeting meaning "congratulations on Bandi Chhor Divas".
Quick glossary
- Gurdwara: a Sikh place of worship; literally "door of the Guru".
- Guru Hargobind Ji: the sixth Sikh Guru (1595–1644).
- Sri Harmandir Sahib: the shrine in Amritsar known in English as the Golden Temple.
- Kirtan: the singing of hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
- Langar: the free community kitchen found at every gurdwara.
- Amavas: the new moon, the night on which Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali fall.
Summary
Bandi Chhor Divas means "the day of the liberator of prisoners". It remembers Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort, when, tradition says, he secured the freedom of fifty-two imprisoned kings, and his welcome home to Amritsar with lamps. The word chhor means release, not thief. The day falls on the same night as Diwali but has its own distinct Sikh meaning of freedom, justice and care for others. For a fuller picture of the Sikh year, see our guide to Sikh Gurpurabs and festivals.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bandi Chhor Divas mean in English?
It means 'Day of Liberation' or, more literally, 'the day of the liberator of prisoners'. Bandi means prisoner, chhor means release or liberation, and divas means day.
Does 'chhor' mean thief?
No. The Punjabi word is chhor (ਛੋੜ), related to the verb for releasing or letting go. It is often confused with chor (ਚੋਰ), which means thief. The difference is the aspirated 'chh' sound.
Which spelling is correct: Bandi Chhor, Bandi Chhorh or Bandi Chhod?
All are attempts to write the same Punjabi words in the Roman alphabet. 'Bandi Chhor Divas' is the most widely used spelling in English. Divas and Diwas are also both common.
