Festivals in Sri Harmandir Sahib
Many occasions and festivals are celebrated in Sri Harmandir Sahib with great respect and passion. Birth and death anniversaries of all the Guru Sahibs, commonly known as Gurpurabs are celebrated with Kirtan (musical recitation of hymns) and Katha (lectures and sermons) organized throughout the day.
A huge Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) with Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is led by Panj Pyare (five Sikhs of the Guru) carrying the Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). The roads are cleaned before the Nagar Kirtan by the Sewadars (volunteers). A huge number of people join the nagar kirtan to celebrate Gurpurabs.
The bigger Gurpurab celebrations in Sri Harmandir Sahib are the first installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, birth of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib, birth of Sri Guru Ram Das Sahib, birth of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the martyrdom of The Sahibzadas (four young sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib), the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Sahib and the martyrdom of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib.
Baisakhi
Baisakhi is one of the most important Sikh festivals celebrated in the second week of April (usually 13th) every year in Sri Harmandir Sahib. Baisakhi is celebrated as the founding day of Khalsa with full zeal and enthusiasm by the Sikh community all over the world, especially in Punjab. It is of great importance for the Sikhs as the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib laid down the foundation of the Khalsa Panth (Order of the Pure Ones) on this day in 1699.
Baisakhi is also celebrated as the “Harvest Festival” by the farmers as they thank God for the rich harvest and pray for the future growth. Devotees from all over Punjab visit Sri Harmandir Sahib in big number and celebrate by attending Kirtan, Katha and Ardas followed by Langar. Baisakhi is also widely celebrated at Gurdwara Talwandi Sabo where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib stayed for nine months and also at Gurdwara Anandpur Sahib which is the birth place of The Khalsa Panth.
Bandi Chhor Diwas / Diwali
Bandi Chhor Diwas (Bandi means Imprisoned, Chhor means Release and Diwas means Day) is the Sikh festival to celebrate and honor the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib and 52 other kings and princes with him in October 1619. After the release, Guru Sahib along with other released kings and princes arrived in Amritsar in the middle of Diwali festival. Since then, Bandi Chhor Diwas and Diwali are celebrated on the same day which makes people believe that both the events are same.
Earlier, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib strengthened his army which gave him immense popularity. In 1612, Emperor Jahangir heard about him and got worried with his growing popularity and increasing followers. Jahangir ordered to arrest Guru Sahib and detained him in the fort of Gwalior. While in prison, Guru Sahib met 52 Hindu kings and princes who had been previously imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir on different occassions. Guru Sahib preached them the name of God and meditation which gave everyone a ray of hope in life.
Jahangir was amazed to see Guru Sahib’s popularity even in the fort and prison so he decided to release him in 1619 but Guru ji refused to leave the fort without 52 kings and princes imprisoned with him. Jahangir turned down this request but faced a lot of pressure from some of the Muslim religious leaders, especially Hazrat Mian Mir and Wazir Khan (Governor of Lahore). Finally Jahangir agreed with a condition that only those kings be released who can hold onto the Guru Sahib’s coat’s tail and walk out of the prison.
However, Guru Sahib asked for a new special coat which was made with 52 tails at the back so that each of the kings and princes could hold the coat and come out of the prison. Jahangir was impressed with Guru Sahib and had no other choice but to release all the 52 prisoners. Since then Guru Sahib became famous as “Bandi Chhor” (deliverer from prison) and the day is celebrated as the “Bandi Chhor Diwas” (the day of freedom).
After his release from Gwalior fort, Guru Sahib reached Amritsar on the day of Diwali. All the devotees gathered and decorated Sri Harmandir Sahib and Amritsar with colored lights and lamps to celebrate and welcome their Guru. Since that day, Bandi Chhor Diwas and Diwali are celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus together. During the commemoration, religious gatherings are held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Gurdwara Baba Atal Sahib and Manji Sahib where various preists come and recite Kirtan, Katha and the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Every year, on the eve of Bandi Chhor Diwas, thousands of devotees come to visit Sri Harmandir Sahib from far and nearby towns and villages. The celebrations start early in the morning with pilgrims taking a holy dip in the sarovar. Thereafter, they recite Japji Sahib (the Holy Scripture) and pay their obeisance to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The most beautiful and mesmerizing scene is envisioned in the evening when the whole parkarma, Darshini Deori and the walkway of the bridge is adorned by a series of electric multicolored dancing lights. Earthen oil lamps and candles arranged in lines are lighted all around the sarovar. The entire complex looks like dressed in lights and it seems justified to be called as The Golden Temple.
The fireworks start in the evening by the sewadars (attendants) on duty from the first floor of the complex. The colorful explosion of fireworks lasts for almost thirty minutes and is a treat to watch and cannot be missed. With the end of fireworks, people offer their prayers and celebrate the victory of good over evil and the victory of light over darkness.