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.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

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★What

With a complete picture of folk tunes, tinges as well as twines framed in the sandy dunes, the Desert Festival Jaisalmer shows the traditional culture of Rajasthan. In order to reach the eyes of worldwide spectators, the festival would spray its colors, play its tunes and also whir its heels from the hub of Thar Desert. As soon as you came out from the winter wools and being stepped into the cuddly blossoming flavor, the folk fusion from Kaisalmer will surely grasp the attention of several travelers. Now it is your turn to explore yourself into the exciting daylong extravaganza, which continues for about three days in the middle of historical forts, ancient haveli, Jain temples, majestic palaces and indigenous culture as well.

★When

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is usually being celebrated in February. The three days celebration is an extravaganza of sights, smells, tastes and unique delights of the desert city.

★Where

The Desert Festival is celebrated in the sand city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

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★History

As legends go; Lord Krishna, ruler of Yadav community told Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) that a successor belonging from the Yadav community will set up his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill. In the year 1196, the prediction made by Lord Krishna came true, when Rawal Jaiswal, a descendant of the Yadav clan, established his kingdom in Jaisalmer.

Celebrations were organized throughout the kingdom, when the people came to know that the prophecy has come true. The celebrations soon developed into a festival that is now organized every year. The government started marketing the vibrant festival as an international drawing visitor to the Jaisalmer Desert City.

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★How

A few days before the spring full moon according to the Hindu calendar, musicians, dancers and performers from all over Rajasthan start moving in colorful camel caravans towards the golden town of Jaisalmer, which dons a festive look. The otherwise barren landscape is splashed with vibrant colors marking the opening of the Desert Festival. The 12th century fort of Jaisalmer, built in yellow sandstone, provides a fairytale background. Over the years, the desert dwellers in their solitude have woven a fascinating tapestry with threads of music and rhythm and the Desert Festival is a celebration of their heritage. It is a chance of a lifetime to see the folk art forms against the landscape that has nurtured them for hundreds of years.

With the arrival of the artists, a delightful series of programs begins in and around Jaisalmer. There is music everywhere and at every given hour. Through the winding lanes of the fortified town to the sand dunes and even the rivers of abandoned villages, the music casts a potent spell. Beginning at sunrise, it reaches its zenith under the umbrella of the star-studded sky. Though it is mainly a festival of the performing arts, there are several other events that give a glimpse of the desert culture.

Through the day, visitors can come face to face with the desert craftsmen. Exquisitely embroidered skirts, hand-woven shawls, rugs, carvings on wood and stone, camel decorations, embroidered leather bags, ethnic silver jewelry and terracotta are brought in from all over the desert. These skillfully achieved crafts are objects d'art for the handicraft buff.

Evenings are meant for the main shows of music and dance. Vibrating desert drums can be heard for miles around. Nearly all the variations of performing arts of these desert people are displayed. Continuing till late into the night, the number of spectator swells up each night and the grand finale, on the full moon night, takes place by silvery sand dunes.

Although the basic design of the festival remains the same, each year there are a few new events. Some of the most spectacular and memorable shows of past festivals have been the dream-like pageant, "Blood, Blade and Romance" on the sand dunes recreating the legendary past; the camel tattoo of the Border Security Force, which has a highly trained camel corps to guard the western border; and the pulsating folk ensemble of a hundred musicians.