Diwali |

"Guru Hargobind - a painting from the Lahore Museum (courtsey F.Aijazzudin)" (source: sikh-heritage.co.uk)

Seeking those of the Great Liberator

June 25, 2018 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This month, Sikhs celebrated the appointment of Guru Hargobind as the sixth Guru of the Sikhs in 1606, following the execution of the preceding Guru, Guru Arjun, by the Mughal emperor Jehangir for refusing to convert to Islam. Born to a prophecy that he would crush tyranny, Guru Hargobind represented a metamorphosis for the Sikh people — manifesting more than just spiritual practice but worldly practice as well. The commemoration of his ascension as Guru is a timely coincidence, for […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Politics, Reflections, Sikhism • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Diwali, Guru Hargobind, ICE, Immigration, Jehangir, miri, piri, undocumented immigrants

Majority religion, by country (source: Pew Forum)

The Christmas Conundrum

December 31, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

I was 11 years old, standing on stage with my classmates during our school’s annual Christmas concert in which we were singing the Christmas carol “O Come All Ye Faithful“. During our performance, I decided to make a small modification to the lyrics: Oh, come, let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him, Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ your Lord. As soon as I uttered my modification of the last line (replacing “the” with “your”), I […]

Categories: Reflections • Tags: Akim Reinhardt, Bandi Chhorh Divas, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Diwali, Faheem Younus

Statement by President Obama on the observance of Diwali

November 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

President Obama offered his felicitations today on the celebration of Diwali: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release November 13, 2012 Statement by the President on the Observance of Diwali Today, here at home and across the globe, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali – the festival of lights. Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends, often marked with good food and dancing. It is also a […]

Categories: Events, Politics • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Barack Obama, Diwali

Artwork depicting a candle for freedom (source: Huffington Post)

Immy Kaur: Bandi Chhorh Divas as a reminder of freedom

November 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

As a Sikh I feel incredibly inspired by the courage and leadership that the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee, showed in 1619. The Sikhs celebrate this event as ‘Bandi Chorr’ at the same time as the Diwali festival. There are a number of messages that come from Guru Sahib’s compassion and determination during his captivity, and when ensuring the release of the 52 Hindu kings with him, despite the chance to be freed alone. For me, […]

Categories: Events, Reflections • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Diwali, Guru Hargobind, Immy Kaur

Reflecting on Bandi Chhorh Divas as a personal challenge

November 12, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This week, most of those of South Asian descent around the world are celebrating Diwali, the “festival of lights” that is rooted in the Hindu tradition. It is one of the major celebrations of the year for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, and was even recognized in a video by President Obama in 2009. I have written in past years about Bandi Chhorh Divas — the Sikh celebration at this time of year that commemorates the release from the prison at […]

Categories: Events, Reflections • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Barack Obama, Diwali, Guru Hargobind

Long Island, NY Sikhs struggle with Gurdwara issues

October 26, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

After the Gurdwara in Plainview, New York was shut down due to code violations, Sikhs on Long Island can’t catch a break, as the second of three Gurdwaras there had also shut down earlier this summer: After fire inspectors went to the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island in Hicksville, it was closed when town inspectors found a kitchen had been illegally installed in the basement and people were living there, [Oyster Bay spokesperson Phyllis Barry] said. The temple had no […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Diwali, Glen Cove, Gurdwara, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center, Hicksville, Long Island, New York, Plainview

Leave a comment

President Obama’s Statement on the Observance of Diwali

October 26, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Different religions have their own significance to Diwali. Today, President Obama released a statement to acknowledge the Diwali celebrations of several faiths – including Sikhism – across the country: The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release October 26, 2011 Statement by the President on the Observance of Diwali Today, here in America and around the world, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali – the festival of lights. Many who observe this holiday do so […]

Categories: Events, Politics • Tags: Barack Obama, Diwali, White House

Leave a comment

Guru Hargobind & Bandi Chorh Divas (photo & artwork: Inkquisitive Illustration)

Happy Bandhi Chorh Divas!

October 25, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Today marks Diwali, the “festival of lights”, which is celebrated all over India (the Huffington Post queries whether Diwali’s growing popularity should make it the next new American holiday). Diwali has its origins in the Hindu tradition, however it has a different historical significance for Sikhs, who on this day celebrate Bandhi Chorh Divas. On this day, Sikhs celebrate the release of Sikhism’s sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, from prison in 1619. He also secured the release of 52 other Indian princes with his own (as described on this blog before). […]

Categories: Art, Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Bandi Chhorh Divas, Diwali, Guru Hargobind, Huffington Post, Inkquisitive Illustrations

Leave a comment

A Sikh reflects on Thanksgiving

November 25, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

I sometimes wonder what young generations today will think looking back when they are my age. Will they have the same sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the communal celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Diwali and the religious holidays that cause us to pause, gather together and reflect in our busy lives? I certainly hope so. — so writes Nirmal Singh, in his Op-Ed piece in Pennsylvania’s Patriot News, in which he reflects on the religious and cultural events that he […]

Categories: News Bits, Reflections • Tags: Diwali, Guru Nanak, Nirmal Singh, Pennsylvania, Thanksgiving

Leave a comment

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Tag: Diwali

Seeking those of the Great Liberator

The Christmas Conundrum

Statement by President Obama on the observance of Diwali

Immy Kaur: Bandi Chhorh Divas as a reminder of freedom

Reflecting on Bandi Chhorh Divas as a personal challenge

Long Island, NY Sikhs struggle with Gurdwara issues

President Obama’s Statement on the Observance of Diwali

Happy Bandhi Chorh Divas!

A Sikh reflects on Thanksgiving