The festival of Baisakhi marks the beginning of spring in India and is a time of tremendous joy for farmers as it symbolizes the end of the harvest season. It is primarily celebrated in Punjab, and Haryana, but is also known under different names across various states - Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal, Bohag Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Uttarakhand, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Pooram Vishu in Kerala and Maha Vishuva Sankranti in Odisha.
A part of the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth is the Baisakhi Festival. To combat oppression and tyranny, the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, organized Baisakhi Day celebrations in 1699 to form the Khalsa - Brotherhood of Saint Soldiers.
As part of the celebrations, people bathe in a holy river and visit Gurudwaras, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Gurudwara at Anandpur Sahib, where Khalsa was born, and Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh recompiled the Guru Granth Sahib. Following the prayers, people celebrate a bountiful harvest with dance, singing, and the phrase 'Jatta Aayi Baisakhi' is loudly proclaimed in neighborhoods.
Karah Prasad (a semolina concoction prepared with wheat, clarified butter, and sugar) is one of the most popular delicacies served at the festival. After lunch at the guru-ka-langur or community kitchen of Gurudwaras, people take out grand processions of Nagar Kirtan, where devotional songs are played.
Like other Punjabi celebrations, Baisakhi is colorful and boisterous. Baisakhi involves food, music, and dance.
Baisakhi is the Sikh New Year's Day because it commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
The holiday is celebrated every year on 13 April, and every 36 years on 14 April.
In the Hindu calendar, Baisakhi is the second month that begins with the month Chaitra and ends with Falgun or Fagun. It is derived from the Hindu calendar month Vaishakh. It's harvest time in the northern part of India, and the farmers are planning for the next season.
Gurdwaras dress up for this day as they welcome thousands of devotees. Sikhs take a holy dip in nearby ponds or lakes, wear festive clothes, and participate in food charity or Langar Seva.
The Nagar Kirtan is a religious procession of Sikh devotees, who commence by chanting or singing holy hymns. At the head of the procession are the Panj Pyare (the five beloved ones representing the Khalsa), donning saffron attire, followed by Guru Granth Sahib and other participants. Sewadars clear the way before the event, and upon reaching their destination, an Ardas is offered in prayer at the Gurudwara.
Several people mark it as a day to take a dip in a river or lake and then visit a temple. Sweetmeats are made and shared, and festivities are celebrated.
In addition to Bengal, Assam (Rongali Bihu), and Bihar, Baisakhi is also observed in its local flavor.
Unfortunately, it is also remembered by the uncouth British colonial officer General Dyer who opened fire on thousands of Indians at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in 1919. In 1947, thousands of festive revelers were killed by a haul of bullets, which shocked the world and also set the stage for independence from foreign rule.
Baisakhi also pronounced Baisakhi as well as Basoa, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated annually on 13th April and sometimes 14 April. It is seen as a celebration of the spring harvest in Northern India.
In India, Baisakhi is a festival celebrating the onset of spring. Baisakhi marks the end of the harvest season and is a time of great joy and celebration for farmers. Punjab and Haryana are the states where the festival is most celebrated.
The story of the Baisakhi Festival begins with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who was publicly beheaded by Aurungzeb, the Mughal ruler. The Mughals saw Guru Tegh Bahadur as a threat because he stood up for Hindu and Sikh rights while Aurungzeb was attempting to spread Islam in India.
Guru Gobind Singh became the next Guru of the Sikhs after Guru Teg Bahadur, his son, died. As Guru Gobind Singh's dream was to instill courage and strength among his fellow men, he called the historic Baisakhi Day congregation of Sikhs at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur on March 30, 1699.
Guru Gobind Singh carried an unsheathed sword out of the tent when thousands assembled for Guru's blessing. In his speech at the end, he emphasized that every great deed is preceded by a great sacrifice and demanded that anyone willing to die should come forward. A young man offered himself on the Guru's third call. The Guru took the man inside a tent and reappeared with a bloody sword.
All present were concerned and thought Guru Gobind Singh had killed five Sikhs when he asked for another volunteer. This was repeated four more times until Guru Gobind Singh had taken five Sikhs into his tent. At this point, Guru presented all five men to the people. Everyone was surprised to see all five men alive and wearing turbans and saffron-colored garments.
These five men were given the title of Panj Piara, meaning 'Beloved Five', by the Guru. To bless them, he initiated a Pahul ceremony. With a Khanda Sahib (sword) in an iron vessel, the Guru stirred Batasha that Mata Sundari Ji had put into water reciting verses from scriptures as he did so. This made the water Amrit - known as the sacred nectar of immortality, which was then given to the five volunteers for them to drink, followed by the Guru, and finally distributed amongst the attendees. Through this sacramental observance, everyone presents regardless of caste or creed, joined Khalsa Pantha (the Order of the Pure Ones).
The Guru treated the Panch Pyare as if they embodied himself in person. The five included a Khatri, a shopkeeper; Jat, a farmer; Chhimba, a calico printer; Ghumar, a water carrier; and Nai, a barber, who all were amalgamated into one. This remarkable act of unified integration was seen to transcend divides such as those caused by religion, caste, and social status at that time. This is mirrored in the fact that the Guru gave all Sikhs the surname 'Singh' (Lion) and took this surname for himself, thereby becoming Guru Gobind Singh from Guru Gobind Rai added a milestone in nation-building.
Khalsa, the unique Sikh identity, was also bestowed upon Guru Gobind Singh. He instructed Sikhs to wear five K's: Kesh or long hair, Kangha or comb, Kripan or dagger, Kachha or shorts, and Kara or bracelet. He also discontinued the tradition of Gurus and asked all Sikhs to accept the Grantha Sahib as their eternal guide. He also instructed them to come to him with their hair and beard unshorn to be baptized by the sword.
May Waheguru bless you with growth, health, and peace on this festival of harvest. Celebrate Baisakhi with love and joy! On this Vaisakhi, let us pray it will be a year with new peace, new happiness, and an abundance of new friends. May God bless you throughout the coming season.
On this Baisakhi, let us pray it will be a year with new peace, new happiness, and an abundance of new friends. May God bless you throughout the coming season. Happy Baisakhi!
May god shower you with endless blessings, love, and happiness. This festival brings the best growth to you. Happy Baisakhi!
May you come up as bright as the sun, as cool as water, and as sweet as honey. Hope this Baisakhi fulfills all your desires and wishes. Happy Baisakhi.
I convey my heartiest wishes to you and your family on the glorious occasion of Vaisakhi. May this be the beginning of a lucky year ahead!
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