As it approaches, reminder that the view that “Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, not Divali”, is a modern fiction - Sikhs historically celebrated Divali. From Guru Amar Das onward, it became a religious celebration for Sikhs, but it was still called “Divali”.

When Guru Hargobind returned from his imprisonment in Gwalior, he was hailed as a “Bandi Chhor,” and joined the existing Divali celebrations set up by the Sangat - the celebration wasn’t solely for his return (although that probably enhanced it) (2)

Historically, “Bandi Chhor” in the Sikh canon was used as an honorific for an individual who was considered a liberator - historic texts refer to Divali/Davali/Duali celebrations, no such “Divas” is mentioned for a holiday (3) https://twitter.com/panthicpikachu/status/1180921954158559232

We see here a hukamnama from Guru Gobind Singh requesting all his sangats to come and meet together in his presence on the occasion of “Divali”. The Guru himself spells it as “ਦਿਵਾਲੀ” (4)