Bandi Chhor Divas

Bandi Chhor Divas

Bandi Shor(Shodh) Divas ("Day of Liberation") ( ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ) is a Sikh festival which occurs during the month of Ashvin in the Indian lunisolar calendar, around the new moon day (Amavasya). This usually falls in November. Bandi Shor(Shodh) Diwas and Diwali are separate festivals and the events actually fall on different days; however, commonly in the popular calendars, they are celebrated on the same day. For this reason, many people often think of these events as if they are the same. In real terms, the day of release of the sixth Guru with the 52 kings was actually a few days before Diwali in 1619.

The word "Bandi" is translated from Punjabi into English as "Imprisoned" (or "Prisoner"), "Shor"(shodh) as "Release," and "Divas" as "Day," rendering "Bandi Shor(Shodh) Divas" from Punjabi into English as "Prisoners' Release Day."

Bandi Shor(Shodh) Divas celebrates the release from prison of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, and 52 other princes with him, in October 1619. Following their release, Guru Hargobind Ji arrived in Amritsar in the midst of the Diwali festival, and the day was henceforth associated with his liberation.