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Baisakhi, the harvest festival of India which marks the beginning of Sikh New Year as per Nanakshahi Solar calendar. It is hugely celebrated by the people of Sikh community. Every year Baisakhi falls on the first month of Bikram Samvat in Hindu calendar. Moreover, in India Vaisakhi is majorly popular in Punjab. This is the day when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh established Holy Khalsa in 1699.
The festival of Baisakhi falls on the first day of Vaisakh month (April-May), according to the Sikh Calendar. For this reason, Baisakhi is also referred to as Vaisakhi. Baisakhi also marks the Punjabi New Year. According to the English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to April 13 every year and April 14 once every 36 years. This variation is due to the festival being observed as per the Indian solar calendar. This year Baisakhi falls on 13 April.
It is believed that in ancient time, Guru Teg Bahadur beheaded by Aurangzeb (The Mughal Ruler) publicly. As he was the one who stood up for the rights of Hindus. After the death of Guru Teg Bahadur his son Guru Gobind Singh became the next Guru. In 1650, Punjab was in turmoil and was facing the corrupt rulers where people were given no rights, neither there was any law, nor justice. Especially, the weak were suffering constantly and quietly. Therefore, this is the day when Guru Gobind Singh wished to instill the strength & courage among all. He summoned a group of Sikh people to assembled at Anandapur.
At this meeting, he raised his sword and asked people to come forward to take the challenge, raise their voices against unfair, and who are ready to die for the truth. Finally, the five Sikh stood up who are known as the Panj Pyare (The Five Beloved Ones) by Guru Gobind Singh. Then instead of killing, Guru Gobind Singh baptized them and the first ceremony of Amrit initiation held.
The group of five men (The Panj Pyare) are comprised of Five symbols i.e, Kangha (comb), Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (a steel bangle), Katchera (underwear), and Kirpan (sword).
The Baisakhi or Vaisakhi celebrations are mainly centered at Gurdwaras and in the open fields doing Bhangra and Gidda dance. Furthermore, it will be celebrated as below:
As a celebration of the new spring, Vaisakhi is an occasion that sees men, women and children commemorate this joyous occasion by buying new attire, picking the most lively and dynamic of the lot to reflect the atmosphere of happiness felt throughout the crowd. Traditional Punjabi attire for men includes the turban with the fan-like adornment worn with a kurta, a waistcoat, the rumaal or scarf, and the lungi tied around their waist, while the women wear the customary garments of Salwar Kameez with the most festive and ostentatious jewellery. The multi-coloured brilliance of this attire reflects the perky and bubbly nature of the Punjabi way of living.
Multiple food stalls are set up at the Baisakhi fairs to keep the crowds refreshed and energised as they party all night. Quintessentially Punjabi cuisine like Chhole Bature, Achari mutton, Chicken saagwala, Sarson ka saag, kadhi chawal, dry fruit kheer and the famous lassi are ever-present at the fair. These gastronomic delights are representative of the great love of food and flavour displayed by the people of Punjab.
The traditional dances of Bhangra and Gidda are performed during Baisakhi to the beat of the drums in open fields creating an atmosphere of zest and joy. At some places, fairs are held where people bring out their happiness and perform acrobatics. Men, women and children adorn themselves in colourful clothes and jewellery while they excitedly participate in the festivities.
The Baisakhi Procession, also known as Nagar Kirtan, is an important part of the celebrations in Punjab. The most sacred scripture Granth Sahib is taken out with honour by traditionally dressed Panj Piaras, also known as the five senior religious Sikhs, and an important part of the Khals traditions. Baisakhi processions move through the streets and lanes of the city, accompanied by music, singing and chanting of scriptures and hymns. A large number of devotees participate in the Baisakhi processions.
During the Baisakhi processions, children and youth demonstrate their skills in martial arts along with the drummers and bands around, and men swinging swords making the event more colourful. All in all, it's safe to say that each year, the festival of Baisakhi marks a new chapter in the life of people.
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