Significance in Sikhism
Bandi Chhorh Divas
Sikhs celebrate Diwali after celebration of Bandi Chhorh Divas.Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to arrange the release of 52 Hindu kings (political prisoners) at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by making clever use of Emperor Jahangir's orders. Jahagir had ordered that to allow anyone who could hold on to the Gurus coat tails to leave the fort with the Guru (October, 1619).
And so the kings/rajahs were freed and the Guru became known popularly as the "Bandi Chhor" (Deliverer from prison). He arrived at Amritsar on Diwali day and the Harmandar (also known as the "Golden Temple") was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return and hence the day came to be known as the "Bandi Chhor Divas" ("prisoner release day", "freedom day").
Martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Ji
Bhai Mani Singh assumed charge of Harmandir Sahib's management in 1708. In 1737, he received permission from Zakariya Khan, the then Mughal governor of Punjab, to hold a religious gathering of the Khalsa for celebrating Bandi Chhorh Diwas on the auspicious day of Diwali for a large tax of 5000 Rupees. He expected to put together the required sum from contribution made by the Sikhs who would assemble that day. But on discovered Zakariya Khan's plot to kill the Sikhs during the gathering, he sent out messages warning them not to turn up for the meeting. As a result the tax could not be paid and Zakariya Khan ordered Bhai Mani Singh's execution at Lahore.
Ever since the Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrated during Diwali is also commemorated the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh. It is also believed that this event along with other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventual success in establishing the Khalsa rule in the north of Delhi.
Hindus have several significant events associated with Diwali:
- The return of Rama after 14 years of Vanvas (exile). To welcome his return, diyas (ghee lamps) were lit in rows of 20.
- The killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who wreaked havoc. Krishna's wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura during the Dwapara yuga. In another version of the belief, the demon was killed by Krishna or Krishna provoked his wife Satyabhama to kill Narshna, defeating Indradebated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He said that all human beings should do their 'karma' to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan and held it up to protect the people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. Although this aspect of Krishna's life is sometimes ignored[citation needed] it sets up the basis of the 'karma' philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavat Gita.
Diwali greetings in some languages
- Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು): Greeting in Kannada
- Subha Dipawali ko mangalmaya subha kaamanaa (शुभ दिपावलीको मंगलमय शुभ-कामना): Greeting in Nepali
- Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (दिवाली की शुभकामनाएं): Greeting in Hindi
- Diwadi ni khub khub Shubhkamnao / Saal Mubarak: Greeting in Gujarati
- Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan (ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਣ ): Greeting in Punjabi
- Diwali Mubarak Ho Aap Savke (दिवाली मुबारक होआप सव के ): Greeting in Bhojpuri
- Deepavali Aashamsagal ( ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള് ): Greeting in Malayalam.
- Deepavali Nalvazhthukal (தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்) :Greeting in Tamil
- Deepavali Shubhakankshalu (దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు) :Greeting in Telugu
- Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा ): Greeting in Marathi
- Subho Deepabalir Preeti O Subechsha (শুভ দীপাবলীর প্রীতি ও শুভেচ্ছা) :Greeting in Bengali
- "Happy Diwali!" :Greeting in English language
- Diwali ki shubh kamna:Greeting in Hindi (Bundelkhand)
- Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha (ଦୀପାବଳିର ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଛା) :Greeting in Oriya
- Diwali mubarak ho aap sabko:Greeting in Hindi (Bhind)
