HISTORY, LEGENDS & MYTHOLOGY

Diwali holds a unique significance in Sikh culture

     Amritsar: The religious significance of the Diwali festival in all parts of India is centred on a single overall theme - the victory of good over evil, of freedom and joy. However, in Punjab, Diwali holds another significance. In Sikh tradition, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from captivity in Gwalior. Legend has it that sometime in the 17th century during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jehangir, the Guru travelled to Gwalior to take up with the emperor the persecution of Sikhs. The golden Temple in Amritsar, brilliantly lit up on the occasion, celebrates just such an event in Sikh mythological history. However, Guru Hargobind, not only secured his release from the tyrannical Mughal. He also devised a way to get the kings released as well. The `freedom as of one', or `Bandi Chhor', is the guiding principle for the Diwali celebrations even to this day.

     During the Mughal period in the 18th Century, whenever the Sikhs needed to hold an internal meeting or make an order in favour of the community, they had fixed two days of Diwali and Baisakhi. Without any notice each and every Sikhs was aware of the meeting at Akal Takth on the occassion of Diwali. Since then Diwali holds a great significance in Amritsar, said Bibi Kiranjot kaur, member of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee. A prayer for universal prosperity, for peace and happiness, year after year, that's the fragrance and essence that embraces Diwali celebrations at the magnificent Golden Temple, the biggest shrine for Sikhs worldwide. Thousands turn out for special prayers, each one contributing his own little lamp to the bright light, holding aloft a warm spirit of gay enthusiasm mixed with religious reverence. At a time of hatred and terror worldwide, the occasion stands out as a symbol of equality and peace. Bhai Harbans Singh, a Sikh scholar said, "Amritsar city is very much related with the Diwali festival. When Hindu god Rama returned back home after completing 14 years in exile, the whole world celebrated the occassion of Diwali. My `message to all Indians, settled all over the world is that in today's time Diwali's significance is that, out of all indifferences and darkness, we have come to a light".
-Nov 5, 2004    

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