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Gravesend Gurdwara to be focus of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas celebrations

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend will be the focus of celebrations to mark the start of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas.

Diwali is often called the "festival of lights" as homes, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called "Diyas".

Fireworks outside the Gurdwara in Gravesend at a previous event
Fireworks outside the Gurdwara in Gravesend at a previous event

The lamps are commonly placed in windows and doors to decorate buildings.

Diwali is celebrated at the same time as Bandi Chhor Divas to celebrate the release of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, from prison in 1619.

He found a way to get 52 innocent leaders out of prison without violence. Many of them had been held without trial and against their wishes.

The name of the festival translated to Prisoner Release Day. It is celebrated as a day when right prevailed over wrong.

On Monday, in the Gurdwara there will be Kirtan (singing of Sikh hymns) and Katha (preaching Sikh philosophy) from 10am until 7.30pm.

The day will finish with fireworks, which can be viewed from the grounds of the Gurdwara or car park. The new fountains and lighting, which were installed at the front of the Gurdwara, will come into use for the first time too.

The fireworks will mark the end of an all day celebration to mark Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas
The fireworks will mark the end of an all day celebration to mark Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas

Residents are invited to join the celebrations with langar (free vegetarian food) served all day.

Visitors are reminded that intoxicants such as alcohol and tobacco are forbidden, alongside meat, fish and eggs.

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