Diwali is an annual festival that is celebrated with fervor by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs in every corner of the world.
Diwali is also known as ‘the Festival of Lights’ since celebrations involve the decoration of houses, shops, and public places with candles and lamps.
Do Sikhs celebrate Diwali?
Yes, Sikhs celebrate Diwali just like Hindus and Jains do but for different reasons. In fact, each religion celebrates the festival for a different reason.
Read on to find out more about why Sikhs celebrate Diwali and learn about the historical background of the celebration. Happy reading!
What Is Diwali and Why Is It Celebrated?
Diwali is an annual five-day festival celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, and Jains all over the world.
The festival is also known as the Festival of Lights and people celebrate it by decorating shops, houses, and other public places with small clay lamps filled with oil.
These lamps are known as ‘diyas.’
Diwali is usually celebrated between the months of October and November. The exact dates of the festival are different for each year.
The festival is celebrated by people from different religions for different reasons.
Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the return of King Rama to Ayodhya.
Sikhs celebrate the release of their guru Hargobind Singh from prison (in 1619) during this festival. Jains celebrate Diwali to observe the anniversary of the liberation of their Lord Mahavira’s soul.
Can Sikhs Celebrate Diwali?
Yes, Sikhs do celebrate Diwali in addition to Hindus and Jains. In fact, Diwali is a significant religious festival for Sikhs. They celebrate it on the same dates as other religions do, but for different reasons.
To be accurate, Sikhs celebrate the release of their 6th guru, Hargobind Singh, as mentioned previously.
But since their celebration takes place at the same time of the year as Diwali, the two celebrations are combined.
For Sikhs, the celebration of Diwali symbolizes the prevalence of right over wrong.
The release of their sixth guru in 1619 was and still is a moment of triumph for all Sikhs. The occasion is celebrated as ‘Bandi Chor Divas’ or ‘Day of Liberation’.
What Do Sikh People Do On Diwali?
So what exactly do Sikhs do on Diwali and how to they celebrate?
Like Hindus and Jains, Sikhs celebrate the occasion by lighting candles and lamps and decorating their houses, shops, and public places such as Gurdwaras (places of worship for Sikhs) with these as well.
People also buy new clothes, dress up, and greet family, friends, and relatives.
In some towns and localities, there is also music, fireworks, parades, and dance performances.
Sikhs also prepare and share feasts with their loved ones and distribute sweetmeats.
What Is The Difference Between Sikh and Hindu Diwali?
There is no actual difference in the celebration of the festival of Diwali by Sikhs and Hindus.
The way of celebration is the same.
Celebrations in both religions include the decoration of houses, shops, and other places with candles and lamps. People from both religions share feasts and enjoy the occasion with their loved ones.
The difference lies in the reason behind the celebration.
Sikhs celebrate the release of their guru Hargobind Singh whereas Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the return of King Rama to Ayodhya.
Other Sikh Celebrations
Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is an annual ceremony and festival traditionally celebrated by Hindus all over the world. The ceremony involves sisters tying amulets or bracelets on the wrists of their brothers as a symbol of protection and care. In exchange, sisters receive a gift from their brothers.
Raksha Bandhan is essentially a Hindu ceremony. Due to this, some Sikhs refrain from celebrating it since they are of the view that the ceremony is not in accordance with their religion’s teachings. However, many Sikhs do celebrate Raksha Bandhan every year.
Final thoughts
Sikhs, like Hindus and Jains, celebrate Diwali each year with zeal and fervor. Sikhs celebrate the festival by decorating their homes, shops, and other places with candles and lamps.
The reason Sikhs celebrate Diwali is that it coincides with their Bandi Chor Divas festival. This festival is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the release of the Sikhs’ sixth guru, Hargobind Singh. He was released from prison in 1619.