Published in New Sunday Times on October 19, 2014
LIKE other Indian communities, the Punjabi Sikhs also have their calendars anchored to the Festival of Lights, or Diwali, as they call it.
However, for the Sikhs, Diwali has a different significance, retired civil servant Saran Singh, 70, told the New Sunday Times.
“It is to celebrate the day when the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind, returned to Amritsar, Punjab, after being held captive by the Moghul Emperor Jahangir.
“Jahangir locked him in the Gwalior prison for some time in 1611.
“When the Guru was released, he informed the emperor that he would leave the prison only if 52 other imprisoned rajas (princes) were also released.
“The emperor agreed on the condition that only those who could hold Guru Hargobind’s chola (robe) could leave with him. The wise Guru split his robe into 52 strands and this enabled the rajas to hold on to his robe and, thus, free themselves.
“Once the Guru arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Sikhs celebrated the occasion by lighting Deep Malla (a chain of colourful oil lamps),” Saran said, adding that the event is also called ‘Bandi Shor divas (Day of Liberation, or Prisoners’ Release Day), which falls a few days before Diwali.
Saran said to this day, the Sikh community celebrated the historical event, and those who migrated to Malaysia had retained the tradition of observing it on the same day Hindus celebrated Diwali.
On the morning of Diwali, Sikhs clad in traditional clothes — men in kurta, women in salwar kameez and dupatta — visit the nearest Gurdwara to offer prayers and thank God for the happy occasion and other blessings.
“The priest sings hymns and recites verses from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy book),” said Saran, who celebrates the joyous day with his wife, children and grandchildren.
After prayers, the congregation is served with Guru Ka Langgar (blessed food), which consists of vegetarian dishes, such as chapati and mixed vegetables, as well as desserts.
They then adjourn home for merrymaking, where sumptuous feasting begins. Both vegetarian dishes, such as palak paneer (spinach and goat’s cheese) and non-vegetarian dishes, such as mutton rogan josh and chicken curry, are among the delicacies served.
Other traditional dishes served during Diwali in a Punjabi household include chicken masala, aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower with spices) and chicken biryani.
Saran’s cousin, Updesh Kaur, 61, said that during tea-time an array of Indian sweets and tidbits are served with hot masala tea. These include Punjabi sweetmeats, such as jalebi, ladoo and barfi.
“We also serve pakora (fried vegetable fritters) and samosa (fried pastry with spicy filling) for those who prefer savoury snacks,” said Updesh, who runs a restaurant.
For Sikhs, Diwali is not only a family affair, but also a day to celebrate with neighbours, colleagues and the rest of the world.
This is also true for both Saran and Updesh, who welcome guests to their houses to join the festivities.
Besides the convivial atmosphere, a Sikh house will also usually be adorned with traditional décor, which include colourful flowers and bright candles emulating the Deep Malla – to commemorate the Bandi Shor divas.
LIKE other Indian communities, the Punjabi Sikhs also have their calendars anchored to the Festival of Lights, or Diwali, as they call it.
However, for the Sikhs, Diwali has a different significance, retired civil servant Saran Singh, 70, told the New Sunday Times.
“It is to celebrate the day when the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind, returned to Amritsar, Punjab, after being held captive by the Moghul Emperor Jahangir.
“Jahangir locked him in the Gwalior prison for some time in 1611.
“When the Guru was released, he informed the emperor that he would leave the prison only if 52 other imprisoned rajas (princes) were also released.
“The emperor agreed on the condition that only those who could hold Guru Hargobind’s chola (robe) could leave with him. The wise Guru split his robe into 52 strands and this enabled the rajas to hold on to his robe and, thus, free themselves.
“Once the Guru arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Sikhs celebrated the occasion by lighting Deep Malla (a chain of colourful oil lamps),” Saran said, adding that the event is also called ‘Bandi Shor divas (Day of Liberation, or Prisoners’ Release Day), which falls a few days before Diwali.
Saran said to this day, the Sikh community celebrated the historical event, and those who migrated to Malaysia had retained the tradition of observing it on the same day Hindus celebrated Diwali.
On the morning of Diwali, Sikhs clad in traditional clothes — men in kurta, women in salwar kameez and dupatta — visit the nearest Gurdwara to offer prayers and thank God for the happy occasion and other blessings.
“The priest sings hymns and recites verses from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy book),” said Saran, who celebrates the joyous day with his wife, children and grandchildren.
After prayers, the congregation is served with Guru Ka Langgar (blessed food), which consists of vegetarian dishes, such as chapati and mixed vegetables, as well as desserts.
They then adjourn home for merrymaking, where sumptuous feasting begins. Both vegetarian dishes, such as palak paneer (spinach and goat’s cheese) and non-vegetarian dishes, such as mutton rogan josh and chicken curry, are among the delicacies served.
Other traditional dishes served during Diwali in a Punjabi household include chicken masala, aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower with spices) and chicken biryani.
Saran’s cousin, Updesh Kaur, 61, said that during tea-time an array of Indian sweets and tidbits are served with hot masala tea. These include Punjabi sweetmeats, such as jalebi, ladoo and barfi.
“We also serve pakora (fried vegetable fritters) and samosa (fried pastry with spicy filling) for those who prefer savoury snacks,” said Updesh, who runs a restaurant.
For Sikhs, Diwali is not only a family affair, but also a day to celebrate with neighbours, colleagues and the rest of the world.
This is also true for both Saran and Updesh, who welcome guests to their houses to join the festivities.
Besides the convivial atmosphere, a Sikh house will also usually be adorned with traditional décor, which include colourful flowers and bright candles emulating the Deep Malla – to commemorate the Bandi Shor divas.
Saran Singh blessing his granddaughter Nerisha Kaur as his family members look on.
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