Many Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and Buddhists across the world came together this week to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.
Dozens of people attending the Sikh temple in Shepparton celebrated Diwali on Monday night, with the News’ own Ash Sidhu on hand to take photos.
Sikhs celebrate Diwali after the Bandi Chhor celebration Divas. The Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on the occasion of the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji.
Diwali is seen as a triumph of right over wrong and a tribute to the Guru who saved the lives of the 52 men without violence.
It is believed that the sixth Guru, along with hundreds of others, was held as a political prisoner by the Mughals, despite being otherwise innocent of any crimes.
The selflessness of the Guru is celebrated to this day at Gurudwara Bandi Chhor (the Sikh Temple built on the site of the Guru’s imprisonment) with ‘Diwali’ (earthen oil lamps), candles, and fireworks on Bandi Chhor Divas.
It is also a time when Sikhs may choose to make a pilgrimage to the Golden Temple, Sri Harmandir Sahib, which is the most important pilgrimage site in the religion.
On Diwali, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated with diyas (lamps) and fireworks are also lit.
The News would like to wish everyone a happy Diwali/Bandi Chhor Diwas.