Punjabi festival
Bandi Chhor Divas — ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ
bandī chhoṛ divas
October–November · same day as Diwali

Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas — "Day of Liberation" — marking Guru Hargobind's release from Gwalior Fort along with 52 imprisoned kings, and his return to Amritsar. The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is lit with thousands of lamps and fireworks, and the saying goes: "Dal roti ghar di, Diwali Amritsar di."
Greetings in Punjabi
ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ
bandī chhoṛ divas dīāṅ vadhāīāṅ
"Happy Bandi Chhor Divas!"
Sikh context
ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ
dīvālī dīāṅ vadhāīāṅ
"Happy Diwali!"
universal
ਦਾਲ ਰੋਟੀ ਘਰ ਦੀ, ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਅੰਬਰਸਰ ਦੀ
dāl roṭī ghar dī, dīvālī ambarsar dī
"Eat dal and roti at home, but spend Diwali in Amritsar"
traditional saying
Customs & traditions
- ✦Illumination and fireworks at the Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar
- ✦Lighting diyas and candles at home and in gurdwaras
- ✦Exchanging sweets with neighbours
Traditional foods
ਪਿੰਨੀ
pinnī
Wheat-flour, ghee and dry-fruit sweet balls
ਮਠਿਆਈ
maṭhiāī
Assorted Indian sweets
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