Which Sikh temple is famously illuminated during Diwali?

The Sikh temple famously illuminated during Diwali is the Golden Temple, officially known as Harmandir Sahib, in Amritsar.

For Sikhs, the Diwali period is closely associated with Bandi Chhor Divas, the “Day of Liberation.” It commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, from imprisonment at Gwalior Fort under the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Sikh tradition says that Guru Hargobind secured the release of 52 other imprisoned rulers, allowing them to leave with him.

When the Guru reached Amritsar, the community welcomed him with lamps. That association helped establish the temple complex as a spectacular center of Diwali-period illumination. Today, the marble courtyards, surrounding buildings, and the shrine’s reflection in the Amrit Sarovar are decorated with lights, while prayers, kirtan, fireworks, and community meals mark the celebration.

The common mistake is treating the Sikh observance as simply another Hindu Diwali ritual. Sikhs may celebrate at the same time, but Bandi Chhor Divas has its own historical meaning centered on Guru Hargobind and liberation.