As autumn settles across the UK, the Sikh community prepares for Bandi Choor Divas, the Festival of Liberation, taking place on Tuesday 21st October 2025. Following directly after Diwali on Monday 20th October 2025, this creates a powerful two-day celebration of light conquering darkness, bridging Hindu and Sikh traditions in beautiful harmony.
At AK Events, we understand that religious celebrations require spaces that honour tradition while accommodating large gatherings. Our luxury marquees provide the perfect canvas for creating sacred, celebratory environments that respect the spiritual significance of Bandi Choor Divas.
Understanding Bandi Choor Divas
Bandi Choor Divas commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth Sikh Guru, from imprisonment in Gwalior Fort in 1619. The Guru insisted that 52 Hindu kings be freed alongside him, embodying the Sikh principles of justice and selflessness.
This festival is marked by lighting diyas, fireworks, and community gatherings celebrating liberation and the ongoing fight for justice. The consecutive celebration with Diwali creates extended festivities where communities honour both traditions while bringing families together.
Creating Sacred Spaces with Marquees
Traditional venues often lack the flexibility required for religious observances, community dining, and cultural performances all in one space. Luxury marquees provide invaluable solutions:
Flexible Sacred Environments
Prayer Areas: Dedicated spaces for kirtan (devotional music) and prayer, with appropriate acoustics.
Community Dining: Large areas for langar (community kitchen) service, where everyone sits together as equals.
Cultural Performances: Space for bhangra, gatka (Sikh martial arts), and other cultural expressions.
Décor That Honours Tradition
The Language of Light
Central to Bandi Choor Divas is celebrating light overcoming darkness:
Warm Golden Lighting: Soft tones echoing traditional diyas, creating peaceful celebration atmospheres.
Suspended Installations: Elegant hanging elements referencing oil lamps while providing practical illumination.
Traditional Integration: Safely incorporating diyas and candles within modern marquee structures.
Symbolic Colour Palettes
Saffron and Orange: Representing courage and sacrifice, creating warm, energetic environments.
Deep Blues: Symbolising the infinite divine, incorporated through fabrics and lighting.
Pure Whites: Representing purity and peace in linens and structural elements.
Rich Golds: Echoing the Golden Temple's precious metals while maintaining spiritual significance.
Food Service and Community Dining
The tradition of langar – free community dining – is central to celebrations:
Food Preparation Areas: Behind-the-scenes spaces for volunteer teams preparing traditional foods.
Communal Dining: Flexible seating accommodating traditional floor seating alongside tables for those who need them.
Service Flow: Designs enabling smooth meal service to large groups while maintaining communal spirit.
Creating Meaningful Celebrations
Bandi Choor Divas celebrates the ongoing journey toward justice, freedom, and community. Our marquees provide frameworks for meaningful gatherings while honouring traditions that make this festival significant.
Whether planning intimate family celebrations or large community gatherings, marquee flexibility allows you to create exactly the atmosphere your observance requires – from traditional lighting to feeding hundreds of community members.
Looking Forward
As we move through autumn, Bandi Choor Divas's message – that light conquers darkness, justice prevails, and community sustains us – becomes particularly relevant. Creating beautiful, meaningful spaces helps ensure these important traditions continue thriving in modern settings.
At AK Events, we're honoured to support celebrations that bring communities together. Our luxury marquees and thoughtful décor create the perfect foundation for observing Bandi Choor Divas with the reverence, joy, and community spirit this beautiful festival deserves.
Contact AK Events to discuss how we can support your Bandi Choor Divas celebration with marquees and décor that honour tradition while ensuring modern comfort and accessibility.
