This year, the Diwali celebration at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib promises to be a grand and meaningful occasion, highlighting both spiritual devotion and environmental responsibility. As one of the holiest and most revered sites for Sikhs, the Gurudwara complex will be illuminated with 11,000 earthen lamps, creating an enchanting and serene atmosphere for all who visit. The Managing Committee has made a special decision this year to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly manner, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. Preparations for the grand celebration are underway, and the excitement among the devotees is palpable as they eagerly anticipate participating in this exceptional festival of lights.
Diwali at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib: An Eco-Friendly Celebration
The eco-friendly Diwali initiative was spearheaded by the Managing Committee of Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact while keeping the spirit of Diwali alive. The Gurudwara will be adorned with numerous traditional elements, including diyas, flowers, and lights, creating a beautiful visual display that resonates with peace and harmony. Devotees will experience the festive atmosphere with devotional music such as bhajans and kirtans, along with special sermons that emphasize the core values of Sikhism. Furthermore, the Gurudwara will offer langar, a free community meal, to the thousands of visitors who travel from various states to participate in the celebrations.
According to the Chairman of the Managing Committee, Sardar Jagjot Singh Sohi, and General Secretary, Sardar Inderjit Singh, the Gurudwara will be beautifully decorated with traditional earthen lamps and other natural materials that reflect the eco-friendly focus of the event. This Diwali marks a shift in how festivals are being celebrated, with a conscious effort to blend tradition and environmental consciousness. The eco-friendly approach is a gesture to encourage everyone to think about the environment while continuing to celebrate the cultural and religious significance of the festival.
Devotees and Women Lighting Diyas in the Gurudwara Complex
Every year, Sikh women from the surrounding neighborhoods play a central role in the Diwali celebrations at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji. These women gather to light diyas and candles in the Gurudwara complex, offering prayers for peace and prosperity. This year, however, the Managing Committee has decided to make the celebration even more special by integrating environmental awareness into the festival. Jathedar Bhai Baldev Singh explained that the goal is to raise consciousness about the importance of protecting the environment while still maintaining the festive atmosphere that makes Diwali so special.
Manager Sardar Daljit Singh elaborated on the significance of Diwali in Patna Sahib, explaining that the city holds a unique place in the hearts of Sikh devotees because it is the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhism. Diwali at Patna Sahib attracts visitors not only from Bihar but also from other regions such as Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana. These pilgrims come to the Gurudwara to celebrate the festival and seek blessings. During this time, families in Patna Sahib recite verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, decorate their homes with rangoli, and light lamps as a symbol of faith, happiness, and peace.
This celebration at Patna Sahib connects people with the core values of Sikhism, such as unity, love, and the importance of spreading joy. As Sardar Daljit Singh mentioned, these gatherings and celebrations are not just about the lights but about fostering a sense of community and solidarity. The Diwali festival at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji brings people together, spreading the message of compassion and harmony in the spirit of Sikh teachings.
Historical Significance of Diwali at Patna Sahib: The Connection with Bandi Chhor Divas
The Diwali celebrations at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji are deeply intertwined with the historic event of Bandi Chhor Divas, which commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru of Sikhism, from the Gwalior Fort. According to Sardar Gurvinder Singh, Vice President of the Managing Committee, the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib took place during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who had imprisoned the Guru. Guru Hargobind, however, refused to leave the fort until 52 other kings, who had been unjustly imprisoned alongside him, were also freed. To ensure that they all walked out together, Guru Hargobind had a special robe made with 52 tassels, each king holding onto one of the tassels.
When Guru Hargobind Sahib returned to Amritsar on the day of Kartik Amavasya, the people of the city celebrated by lighting lamps all around the Golden Temple, a tradition that continues to this day. Sikhs across the world honor Bandi Chhor Divas by lighting diyas in Gurudwaras and their homes, symbolizing the triumph of freedom, justice, and righteousness. The tradition of lighting diyas during Diwali is a way for Sikhs to remember the freedom struggle of their Gurus and the light they brought into the world through their teachings.
Carrying Diyas and Symbolizing Faith and Blessings
In Patna Sahib, a unique tradition is followed during the Diwali celebrations. Devotees from the surrounding area carry diyas from their homes to the Gurudwara, where they light them from the sacred flame of the Gurudwara. Afterward, they return the diyas to their homes, believing that the light of the sacred flame brings peace, joy, and blessings to their households. This practice serves as a reminder of the spiritual light that Guru Gobind Singh Ji brought into the world, inspiring people to live righteous and virtuous lives.
This year, with 11,000 diyas illuminating the holy Takht, the city of Patna Sahib will once again shine brightly with the light of faith, devotion, and a renewed commitment to environmental protection. The Managing Committee’s initiative to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali is a powerful reminder of how religious and cultural celebrations can adapt to modern needs without losing their essence. The use of traditional earthen lamps, along with the emphasis on reducing pollution, reflects the Sikh community’s deep-rooted values of stewardship for the environment and respect for nature.
This Diwali at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib is set to be a celebration unlike any other, where faith and environmental awareness come together to create a festival that is both spiritually uplifting and ecologically responsible. The decision to illuminate the Gurudwara with 11,000 diyas, while also promoting eco-friendly practices, underscores the importance of being mindful of the environment while celebrating cultural and religious traditions. As devotees from across India come to Patna Sahib to take part in the celebrations, they will not only experience the beauty and joy of Diwali but also be reminded of the deeper values of Sikhism that inspire unity, love, and environmental consciousness.
In a world increasingly aware of the need to protect the environment, this Diwali at Patna Sahib sets a shining example of how religious traditions can evolve to meet the challenges of the modern world, all while retaining their spiritual significance.
