Diwali for Sikhs

Posted on August 13, 2007 in Diwali In Sikhism

Diwali for Sikhs
Although Diwali or the festival of lights is a major Hindu festival, it is also one of the most significant festivals for Sikhs. Diwali is a sacred day for all the Sikhs since in 1577 the foundation stone of the Golden Temple which is the most important religious centre of the Sikhs, was laid down on the day of Diwali.

Actually the third Sikh preacher Guru Amar Das directed all his followers to gather to obtain the blessings of the Guru. Diwali was initially celebrated during the life of the sixth Sikh Guru Hargovind Sahib who was imprisoned during the reign of the oppressive Moghul Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir later freed Guru Hargovind Sahib from captivity on the day of Diwali. The release of their Guru made the Sikhs immensely happy. A day after his release Guru Horgovind Sahib paid a trip to the Golden Temple to offer his prayer. The Guru’s mother who was elated at her son’s release shared her joy with others by distributing sweets to everyone. Colored candles were lit and were made to float on the lake of the Golden temple. The day was observed with a magnificent display of fireworks at night.

Bhai Mani Singh was a renowned scholar who had transcripted the final version of Guru Granth Sahib which was dictated to him by Guru Govind Singh in 1704. In 1708 he took control of Harmandir Sahib’s administration in 1708. During that time Diwali was not observed in Golden Temple. In 1737, the Mogul emperor of Punjab, Zakaria Khan gave him permission to celebrate Diwali at the Golden Temple in lieu of a huge tax of Rs. 5,000, although according to some historians the amount could have been as high as Rs10, 000. Sikhs all over India were sent invitations to participate in Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrations at Harmandir Sahib. Bhai Singh was under the impression that the gathering for the Diwali celebrations would provide him with an opportunity to amass the tax-money from the Sikhs as subscriptions.

Bhai Mani Singh’s Sacrifice
However Bhai Mani Singh was shocked to discover the wicked designs of Zakariya Khan to slaughter all the Sikhs who would turn up for the Diwali celebrations. In a bid to save his fellow men from danger Bhai Mani Singh instantly dispatched message to all the Sikhs not to attend the celebrations. As a result Bhai Man Singh was unable to amass the money to be paid for the tax. Zakariya Khan was enraged at the turn of events and he ordered the execution of Bhai Mani Singh at Lahore by brutally hacking him limb-by-limb to death. Since then this act of great courage and sacrifice of martyr Bhai Mani Singh is commemorated through the Bandi Chhorh Diwas or Diwali celebration.

Diwali is the festival of lights and the lighting of diya or candle in real term is the procurement of Heavenly wisdom and qualities such as being sympathetic, unassuming, humble, forbearing, unselfish and sweet spoken.

Comments

2 Responses to “Diwali for Sikhs”

  1. tanya chowdhury Says:
    March 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

    it was really very great reading about the diwali celebrations as i am learning all about sikhism in my school, Astley Sports College. it has been a great time sitting down with a cup of tea and reading about your wonderful celebrations. Tanya Chowdhury.

  2. gurpreet Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 3:19 am

    wow this it very interesting thanks

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