Bandi Chhor Divas marks a specific historical event: Guru Hargobind's release from Gwalior Fort in 1619, wearing a specially tailored chola with 52 panels so that 52 imprisoned princes could each hold one and walk free with him.
This story is described consistently across independent references — Wikipedia, SikhiWiki, Sikh Dharma International, and a Canadian government ministerial statement — so we are stating it with more confidence than most of what is on this page: Guru Hargobind was released from Gwalior Fort in 1619 wearing a chola (robe) tailored with 52 panels, allowing 52 princes imprisoned with him to each hold a panel and leave as free men.
Children colour or decorate 52 small paper panels — individually, or as a class or family project split between several children — and join them into one long paper chola. Laying it out and counting the panels as they go is itself part of retelling the story, not just decoration.
How your own gurdwara marks Bandi Chhor Divas, and any prayers or ceremony involved, are not something we are describing here — this page is about the historical craft, not the observance around it.
Bandi Chhor Divas is often marked around the same time as Diwali, and the two are sometimes marked together in a household; the 52-panel story specifically belongs to Bandi Chhor Divas. If you are unsure how your own family marks the overlap, ask a family elder.
No — a smaller number still tells the story. Fifty-two is meaningful if you have the group to make them, not a requirement.
Colouring one panel works from about three; understanding and retelling the story lands better from around six or seven.
Part of our guide to World calendars & interfaith families.