Happy Baisakhi - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus in the Indian subcontinent, marking the beginning of the Sikh New Year and the harvest season.
- 2. The festival is celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year, depending on the Nanakshahi calendar, which is followed by Sikhs.
- 3. Baisakhi holds great significance for Sikhs as it marks the day in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, established the Khalsa Panth (the community of initiated Sikhs) and laid down the foundation of the Khalsa identity.
- 4. Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi with processions, prayers, and community gatherings at Gurdwaras (Sikh temples). The day typically starts with early morning prayers, followed by kirtan (devotional music) and langar (community meal).
- 5. Hindus also celebrate Baisakhi as the festival of harvest, marking the ripening of the winter crop and the beginning of the new agricultural season. It is considered auspicious for starting new ventures and seeking blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
- 6. In Punjab, the heartland of Sikhism, Baisakhi is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm. People dress up in traditional attire, perform folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda, and enjoy festive foods like sarson da saag and makki di roti.
- 7. The festival is also marked by the traditional ritual of bathing in rivers and visiting temples and Gurdwaras to offer prayers and seek blessings for a bountiful harvest and prosperity.
- 8. Baisakhi is a time for social gatherings, feasting, and merriment. People exchange greetings and sweets, visit friends and relatives, and participate in cultural events and fairs organized to celebrate the occasion.
- 9. In some parts of India, especially in the state of Punjab and Haryana, Baisakhi is also celebrated as the Sikh New Year, with people cleaning their homes, wearing new clothes, and exchanging gifts and sweets.
- 10. Baisakhi is not only a religious and cultural festival but also a time to reflect on the importance of community, unity, and sharing. It is a reminder to uphold the values of compassion, equality, and service to humanity, as espoused by the Sikh Gurus.