Themes: the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas; the life of Guru Hargobind; helping others.
Summary: This assembly, suitable for an act of collective worship, is particularly relevant at or around the time of the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas, or 'Day of Liberation' – the literal translation being 'Prisoner Release Day' or ‘Prisoner Liberation Day’. It can be used at other times of year to explore Sikhism and the life of the sixth guru - Guru Hargobind. The festival commemorates the imprisonment of the guru in Gwalior Fort and how he was eventually released in 1619 alongside 52 princes incarcerated with him. This year Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated on 1 November 2024.
Resources: the assembly framework to / print; an image of Guru Hargobind and the princes and a transcript of the story to / print.
The video
Woman: What are you doing out here singing so early in the morning?
Man: Our guru, Guru Hargobind sahib ji, is held captive in this fort. We are waiting for him to be set free.
Woman: A guru? Why would anyone hold a guru captive? What’s he in there for? What did he do wrong?
Man: Nothing.
Woman: Nothing? He must have done something!
Man: He was sent to the fort by the emperor. He asked the guru to say prayers for him at the fort. The emperor is was ill and was told that the prayers of a holy man would cure him.
Woman: But why say prayers here of all places?
Man: It was a trick! When the emperor first met Guru Hargobind sahib ji, many years ago, they got on really well together. The emperor was impressed by the guru’s wisdom…and one time, out hunting together, he defended the emperor from a ferocious lion.But there were some people that didn’t like it that the emperor and Guru Hargobind sahib ji had become friends. A wealthy banker who worked for the emperor, named Chandu Shah, became jealous of their friendship. It was Chandu Shah who suggested Guru Hargobind sahib ji should to go to the fort to say prayers to make the emperor better. The emperor agreed and asked Guru Hargobind sahib ji to go to the fort. But they locked him in, and have imprisoned him here ever since.
Woman: How long has he been imprisoned here?
Man: It’s been twelve long years. During that time, Sikhs have gathered here to say prayers and wait for guru ji’s release.
Woman: After all he has done for the emperor, you’d think he’d be set free?
Man: Oh, he’s been offered freedom, but he won’t leave, at least, not yet.
Woman: Won’t leave? Why would you not want to leave a prison?
Man: He can leave, but imprisoned with him are 52 princes. He will not leave prison unless they are freed too.
Woman: But why does he care about all the other prisoners? He can’t help everyone.
Man: He does care, and he can help everyone. That is what guru Hargobind sahib ji has taught us, that we can care for and help others no matter what the circumstances. He has helped to improve conditions in the fort. And now all the prisoners and even governor pray with Guru Hargobind sahib ji every day. He will not leave until all of the prisoners there are set free, and in fact the emperor has agreed.
Woman: Really?
Man: But there’s a catch. The emperor has said that only those who can hold on to guru ji’s cloak may be released with him.
Woman: Surely that will mean he can only leave with three or four of the princes at most?
Man: Ha ha, you don’t know Guru Hargobind sahib ji!
Woman: Look, they’re holding on to the tassels on his coat. It’s got so many!
Man: Yes, 52 in fact. He has had a coat made specially with all those tassels, one for each prince, so they can all leave together.
Woman: Ha! That’s so clever! What will you do now he is free?
Man: Now we will celebrate Guru ji’s release! Lamps will light up the night and our golden temple will shine in the darkness. And we will celebrate this day every year: Bandhi Chhor Divas - the Prisoner Release Day!
Bandi Chhor Divas – Day of Liberation
It is 1619 in northern India. A group of Sikh worshippers are gathered at the gates of Gwalior Fort praying for the release of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru, who is held captive inside. We learn that the guru was imprisoned in the fort by 'the emperor' (actually the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir) who had previously been on friendly with the guru.
We learn that during his years imprisoned in the fort the guru has worked tirelessly to improve the conditions for those held there. Although the guru has been offered his freedom he has refused to leave unless 52 innocent princes who are also held in the fort can leave alongside him. The emperor has agreed to allow as many princes to leave with the guru as can hold on to his robe - a way of restricting the number. But Guru Hargobind has a plan to ensure everyone can leave together.
Bandi Chhor Divas translates as 'Prisoner Release Day'. On his release Guru Hargobind travelled to Amritsar, where Diwali was being celebrated. For this reason Bandi Chhor Divas often overlaps with Diwali. It is celebrated with processions, fireworks and lighting up both the home and the Sikh place of worship, the gudwara.
Duration: 3' 27"
Final words: 'Bandi Chhor Divas - The Prisoner Release Day.'
Video questions
- Why has a crowd gathered at the the fort? (Because the sixth guru - Guru Hargobind - is imprisoned inside)
- How did the guru become imprisoned in the fort? (The emperor was ill and was told that the prayers of a holy person could cure him. But the emperor had been turned against the guru, so demanded that he say prayers inside the fort)
- How long had the guru been imprisoned in the fort? (12 years)
- Who else was imprisoned in the fort? (52 princes)
- Why has the guru refused to leave the fort? (He will not leave unless the 52 princes are also released)
- How many of the princes has the emperor said can leave the fort? (As many as can hold on to the guru's robe - a way to restrict the number)
- How does the guru ensure everyone can leave together? (He has a special robe made, sufficiently long for everyone to be able to hold on to it)
Key links
Assembly framework (pdf) document
/ print the assembly framework ready for use
Image: Guru Hargobind and the princes. image
Click to display image full size
Transcript - Bandi Chhor Divas
Click to / print the video transcript
Suggested assembly framework
1. Entry
An online search will yield plenty of suggestions for music linked to the festival. Or you could play the backing track version of one of the songs suggested below, which are available here.
2. Introduction
Tell the assembly that there is an important festival celebrated by Sikhs all around the world at about this time of year (if your school is celebrating - or plans to celebrate - Diwali you may wish to emphasise that although this festival falls at the same time of year it is not actually Diwali). The festival is called 'Bandi Chhor Divas' - which translates literally as 'Prisoner Release Day' and is often called 'Day of Liberation'. The festival commemorates an event over 400 years ago when Guru Hargobind was released from a fort in northern India, where he was being held against his will. A 'guru' is a spiritual leader and Guru Hargobind was the sixth leader of the Sikh community. Tell the assembly they are going to watch a short animation about the event. It's a story about being resourceful - one that we can all learn from. Also tell the assembly that they will hear Guru Hargobind called 'sahib-ji' - which is added to his name as a term of respect.
3. The video
Play the video. The duration is 3' 27" and the final words are 'Bandi Chhor Divas - the Prisoner Release Day.'
4. After the Video - Time to talk
Ask everyone to turn to the person beside them and tell them two things they from the story. You could consolidate pupils' recall of the story and their understanding of it by asking the Video questions (from above):
- Why has a crowd gathered at the the fort? (Because the sixth guru - Guru Hargobind - is imprisoned inside)
- How did the guru become imprisoned in the fort? (The emperor was ill and was told that the prayers of a holy person could cure him. But the emperor had been turned against the guru, so demanded that he say prayers inside the fort)
- How long had the guru been imprisoned in the fort? (12 years)
- Who else was imprisoned in the fort? (52 princes)
- Why has the guru refused to leave the fort? (He will not leave unless the 52 princes are also released)
- How many of the princes has the emperor said can leave the fort? (As many as can hold on to the guru's robe - a way to restrict the number)
- How does the guru ensure everyone can leave together? (He has a special robe made, sufficiently long for everyone to be able to hold on to it)Ask the assembly to suggest words to describe the actions of Guru Hargobind and his plan. Direct the discussion towards an understanding that the guru has shown great self-sacrifice, but has also been extremely resourceful and creative: he has found a way to fulfil the unreasonable demand of the emperor, enabling everyone to leave the fort peacefully.
5. Opportunity to sing
Suggestions from BBC collections below.
6. Opportunity for reflection
Focus the reflection on the festival of Bandi Chhor Divas and the story of Guru Hargobind:
Festivals are an opportunity for us all to celebrate - to share happy times with family and friends and enjoy a holiday…
Think to yourself about what your favourite festival times are…
During Bandi Chhor Divas there are fireworks and processions and Sikhs light up their homes and places of worship…
And they how 400 years ago their leader - Guru Hargobind - was able to arrange the freedom of 52 princes…The guru showed great self-sacrifice…but he also showed great resourcefulness and creativity…
Spend a moment thinking how you might be able to show those qualities today…and in future…
7. Opportunity for prayer
Use your usual form of address ('Dear God', 'Let us pray', etc) and:
Thank you for the lives of all those people from who we can learn so much.
When we find others in need of help, may we be willing to sacrifice our time and energy.
And when we face difficulties ourselves, may we be resourceful and creative in finding solutions.
Amen.
Suggested songs
Song: 'Being a friend' (All about our school, no 8. Vocal version)
Being a friend is the best thing you can be,
‘Cos in the end friends are something we all need.
You could score a goal for England,
Be a pop star on TV,
But being a friend
Is still the best thing you can ever be.
Being a friend is the best thing you can do,
Time and again it’s our friends that help us through.
You could be a millionaire,
Or fly a rocket to the moon,
But being a friend
Is still the best thing you can ever do.
Whatever we grow up to be,
And live in harmony,
Together we all need to see
That friendship is the key!
Being a friend is the best thing you can be,
‘Cos in the end friends are something we all need.
You could score a goal for England,
Be a pop star on TV,
But being a friend
Is still the best thing you can ever be.
Being a friend
Is still the best thing you can ever be.
'Together' (All about our school, no 13).
- Work together, not alone,
Gather round and share a problem.
Work together, hand in hand,
Gather round and work things out.
Chorus
‘Cos together, we can work it out together,
We can ride the stormy weather,
As long as we’re together we’re strong!
- There’s a setback, don’t despair,
Gather round and share your feelings.
Why just worry on your own?
Gather round and work things out.
Chorus
- If there’s trouble big or small,
Gather round and find an answer.
If you stumble there’s a friend,
Gather round and work things out.
Chorus
'Celebration rap' (Come and Praise Beginning, no 7).
(1) Come and shout for joy!
(2) Come and shout for joy!
(1) Come and shout for joy
and clap your hands!
(2) Come and shout for joy
and clap your hands!
(1) Come and shout for joy
and clap your hands
and stamp your feet!
(2) Come and shout for joy
and clap your hands
and stamp your feet!
(1) Come and shout for joy
and clap your hands
and stamp your feet
and turn around!
(2) Come and shout for joy
and clap your hands
and stamp your feet
and turn around!