00:00From fireworks to food to faith, festivities were in full swing last night at Gravesend
00:07Gurdwara, where Sikhs gathered to celebrate Bundicho Divas, or Prisoner Liberation Day.
00:14The day pays respect to the Sikhs Guru, who was imprisoned before eventually being released
00:19alongside 52 Hindu princes.
00:22Its celebration pays respect to the values of justice, freedom and compassion, central
00:27to the Sikh faith.
00:29For many Sikhs across Kent, the day is sacred.
00:32Well, I regularly come to Gurdwara, and all friends come together to celebrate this festival.
00:40It's very important for us.
00:41We are coming from 60 Mile, from Poxton.
00:44I think this is like the central Gurdwara for Kent.
00:49It's worth the travelling, and yes, they put on a massive community sort of atmosphere.
00:55Today, Sikhs are here in the Gravesend Gurdwara to celebrate Bundicho Divas.
01:00As you can see, it's quite busy here, and yeah, it's quite a special occasion for us.
01:06My cousin's sister here, she will be singing Shabbat for the special occasion.
01:11During the day, the temple hosted Kirtan, Sikh hymns, and Katha, Sikh scriptures and history,
01:32with quiet moments for reflection and prayer throughout the day.
01:37Lit candles are a homage to Sikhs lighting the way for the Sikhs guru to return home.
01:43And then, when the sun had set, a vibrant show of light.
01:49Bundicho Divas coincides with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, though sometimes Sikhs
01:55and Hindus celebrate both.
01:58Community took centre stage yesterday.
02:00Throughout the day, people are coming and going, coming and going.
02:04And I think probably in the evening now, for the fireworks, we had around 5,000 people.
02:08We tried to make it a place where everybody is welcome.
02:12So people come, and not just for prayer, but we have other activities.
02:16So it's become a hub for the community at large.
02:19And today you will have seen, not just Sikhs, but people from all faiths actually joining
02:22in the celebrations.
02:24As the autumn gloom sets in, events like Bundicho Divas continue to be a light against the darkness.
02:31Megan Shaw, for Kane TV, in Gravesend.
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