Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali

Golden Temple.

Sikh Diwali is called ‘Bandhi Chhor Divas’ meaning ‘Prisoner Release Day’. This year it falls on 17th November. 

This is the day when Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru, was released from Gwalior fort along with 52 other prisoners.

Jahangir was surprised by Guru Ji’s popularity in the fort. Troubled with fearful visions, the Emperor gave orders for Guru Ji’s release. But Guru Ji refused to come out of the fort until all the other 52 innocent prisoners were set free. The Mogul Emperor, thinking himself to be clever proposed to release any and every prisoner that could hold on to the Guru’s clothing. So Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji ordered a special cloak to be made with 52 tassels. 52 pieces of cloth of different lengths were then tied to each tassel and each prisoner held one of these. It followed that on the day of Diwali in 1619 AD, the 6th Guru was released from Gwalior fort along with all 52 Hindu kings. Henceforth the Guru was called the ‘Freedom Provider’ or ‘Liberator’. He was greeted by Bhai Gurdas Ji, Baba Buddha Ji, Mian Mir (a Muslim Sufi Saint and friend of Guru Ji) and many other disciples. Guru Ji returned to Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, with the 52 Kings where a magnificent celebration was held. The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)was beautifully lit and decorated and fireworks illuminated the sky. People were elated and they sang Religious hymns.

May the Divine light of Diwali spread happiness,peace & prosperity to you and your family ! May the lights of this auspicious festival fill your life with the eternal glow and happiness.

Golden Temple

...The heaven on earth...the biggest shrine in the Sikh religion ... my day starts officially ..with the live telecast of golden temple and all the rituals performed by our priests in the morning... It is a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Beautiful memories of Amritsar take my years back ..running on the white marble floor as a kid and then sitting next to sarovar for hours and listening to evening Aardas performed by the priest... ..The whole place has an aura .. which cannot be denied..Sometimes I feel leaving India ..the biggest loss of my life is when I cannot visit Harmandir Sahib.. There is no other place or Gurudwara in this world which has that charisma like Harmandir sahib..so divine ,pure and Captivating...In one word place ,where we can feel his power ..the Diety himself .. his presence is felt when we look at the beautiful Golden temple standing amidst of everything.. Echoing across the sarovar, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the sarovar and temple. People all over the world visit this place want to see the artifacts and how it is built in Gold..Golden Temple is widely regarded as being amongst the most tastefully decorated shrines anywhere. The art and architecture of the temple has been praised lavishly by generations....
My mom who belongs to Amritsar ..and my Nanu(moms father) who spent his whole life in service to Harmandir sahib(head priest ....Golden temple) last days of their life donated everything they had in cash to Harmindar sahib..from where they got everything.. people of Amritsar still remember him ..when they read their names on the outerwalls....of Golden temple.. His power is supreme and it can be felt...all we need is to..Feel..