Today is a very special day, it’s the 24th October and it’s Diwali. 

Diwali is known as the festival of light and is celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus.

For Hindus Diwali signifies celebrating the victory of Sita being saved and marks the new year. Sikhs/Punjabi’s do not solely celebrate Diwali for the same reason as other faiths although the story of Diwali is also celebrated for its spiritual significance. This important event in the Sikh calendar is termed Banda Chhor Divas which is translated as ‘Prisoner release day’ its popularly known as ‘The festival of lights’.

On this day in 1619 the Sikh sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was released from prison as well as 52 others with him. Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned Guru Hargobind Singh Ji and 52 Sikhs. The Emperor was asked to release Guru Hargobind Singh Ji which he agreed to do. However, Guru Hargobind asked that the other Sikh prisoners to be released as well with him. The emperor agreed on the condition that only those who could hold onto his cloak pleats would be allowed to leave the prison in order to limit the number of people released from prison.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji had a cloak made with 52 pleats so each person was able to hold onto one pleat each and leave prison with him. All 52 prisoners held onto the cloak and were freed. Guru Hargobind Singh Ji returned back home to the Golden Temple on Diwali and was welcomed with beautiful divas and candles lit everywhere as a symbol of this huge celebration of freedom.

The name of this beautiful festival comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali which means row of lights.

Today as Punjabis we still light candles and diwas each year to continue the celebration of this day that presents freedom. Diwas are small earthenware oil lamps. These lamps are traditionally fueled by mustard oil, and are placed in rows in windows, doors and outside buildings. Fireworks are also a big part of the celebrations as well as giving gifts to loved ones and making donations to charities.

This year Diwali falls in half term so I’m pleased to be able to spend the whole day with my two beautiful boys and my family. We will go to the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) over lunch, light a candle each at the temple and say our prayers and then spend the afternoon and evening lighting candles around the house as well as exchanging gifts and cooking sweet and savoury dishes together as a family. It’s also for me an important day  to reflect with my children and to remind ourselves to be grateful each day of all the things we have.

Happy Diwali to you all, I wish you all love, peace and prosperity ❤️

Love, Preeti