"On the day of Diwali, Golden Temple is decorated and illuminated with colorful lights, which is a rare sight to behold. The festival of lights lives true to its name at the Golden Temple as tens of thousands of devotees and spectators gather in and around the temple complex for one of India's largest and grandest celebrations," I wrote in my earlier news story titled "Diwali Of Amritsar Has No Parallels" at merinews citizen journalism portal which has closed down.
At the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Diwali is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Diwas to mark the release from the prison in the early 17th century of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Ji Sahib along with 52 other kings.
Since the release happened on Diwali Day, the Sikhs celebrated the occasion by doing a deep-maala at Harmandar Sahib or Golden Temple.
However, now, besides lighting of the earthen lamps or diyas and display of fireworks, the ‘Nihang Singh Jathebandis’ put up their displays.
The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) orgaizes the lighting and fireworks on this occasion.
However, in Sikhism, Diwali should not be treated as mere physical lighting of lamps, the lighting of the inner lamp or spirit is urged.
Here is a haiku to explain spiritual meaning of Diwali.
HAIKU
Light up inner lamp -
Make spiritual knowledge the oil
Love of God the wick
LINK:
"Diwali Of Amritsar Has No Parallels" Dr. Lalit Kishore | Nov 13, 2012
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