Baisakhi Festival

Baisakhi

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★What

Baisakhi is a spring harvest festival for Sikhs and Hindus. It is usually celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year. It marks the Sikh new year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Vaisakhi is also an ancient festival of Hindus, marking the Solar New Year and also celebrating the spring harvest.

★When

Baisakhi in Punjab is held every year in the period between the months of April and May. The festival is celebrated with immense fun, frolic and merry-making. The time of the festival falls on April 13 or April 14 as per the Indian solar calendar.

★History

The history of Baisakhi begins when Guru Teg Bahadur, father of Guru Gobind Singh was killed by the Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor. After his father's death, Gobind Singh was made the next Sikh Guru. The life of the people was miserable under the rule of Aurangzeb. After seeing the woeful condition of the people and to motivate them, Guru Gobind Singh, in the year 1699 asked the youngsters to come forward to give their life for the country.

However, initially none of the men came forward, but after the repeated requests or encouragement from Gobind Singh, five men showed interest. The Guru took them to the tent and dressed them in saffron (yellow) clothes. They were bestowed upon the title of the ‘Panj Pyaras’ (the precious five men). On that very day, beginning of new religion was announced called the 'Khalsa Panth' (today known as Sikhism). The men who were converted into Sikhism were told not to fear anybody other than the God and live life in whatever manner they desire.

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★How

Being the greatest festival of the Sikhs, Baisakhi is celebrated with great vitality and enthusiasm. People take part in the festival by eating a wide range of home-made Punjabi delicacies. Other local food items and sweets are also cooked and eaten during the festival. All the family members have dinner together and enjoy themselves by performing the famous folk dance of the state Punjab Bhangra.

Women take part in a lot of dances as well. In addition to Bhangra, another popular form of enjoyment is the Gidda dance, which is played along with traditional music. Men and women irrespective of age decorate themselves with colored clothes and traditional jewelries.

During the prominent festivals, there is a tradition among the Sikh community to wear the bright color outfits. Men wear the kurta, pajama or lungi and a turban on their heads. The Sikh or Punjabi women have two choices when it comes to getting ready for the festival. They can either wear a salwar-kameez or lehenga–choli. The worships are usually made on the banks of rivers and streams.

People celebrate Baisakhi all over Punjab by going to Gurudwaras and distributing 'Kada Prasad' among family members, friends and relatives. Religious processions led by the Panj Piaras or the five religious men are taken out in various cities and provinces. Traditional songs, kirtans and recitations of holy passages from the Guru Granth Sahib are made in Gurudwaras. The ritual of Kar Sewa is also performed. Kar sewa is the process of offering physical labor to assist in the everyday jobs of the Gurudwara. It is a traditional symbol of modesty for the Sikh community.