Manjit Kaur-Heer talks about Diwali and Bandhi Chor

Have you noticed that there have been lots of fireworks even after 5th November has been and gone?

Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India.

Diwali means ‘rows of lighted lamps’. Houses etc are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas. Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. People start the new business year at Diwali, and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Lamps are lit to help Lakshmi find her way into people’s homes. In India windows and doors of houses are left open so that Lakshmi can come in. Rangoli are drawn on the floors – rangoli are patterns and the most popular subject is the lotus flower. There are various legends around Diwali with the most well-known one being the Rama and Sita one.

In northern India and elsewhere, the most well-known Diwali legend tells of the return of Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile to Rama’s kingdom Ayodhya. Rama had defeated Ravana and was returning to be crowned king of Ayodya. It is said his path was lit with lamps.

• In Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth;
• In Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura;
• In Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali.
• In Britain, as in India, the festival is a time for spring-cleaning the home, wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts (often sweets and dried fruits) and preparing festive meals, decorating buildings with fancy lights and huge firework displays.

Diwali is also a very special day for Sikhs as we celebrate “Bandhi Chor” because in 1619, Guru Har Govind the sixth Guru for Sikhs, who was held by the Mughal Emporor Jahengir, was released from Gwalior fort along with 52 kings and princes. Guru Har Govind negotiated his release and that of the 52 princes to coincide with Diwali. The Mughals agreed that the Guru could leave prison with the number of princes who could hold on to his coat tail. Legend has it that he had a coat made that enabled all 52 princes to hold on to the coat and thus leave the prison. Bandi Chor is commemorated with kirtan (prayers/singing) followed by taking part in the langar and fireworks amongst other things. Many gurudwaras (Sikh Temples) are decorated with festive lights.

So if you noticed that firework displays were continuing  beyond 5th November it may be because you have Asian families living nearby who are celebrating either Diwali or Bandhi Chor!

Manjit Kaur-Heer
Consultant Solicitor
Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Find out more about Manjit by clicking here or contact Manjit.