Baisakhi is one of the most important harvest celebrations in Northern India. It is also pronounced as Baisakhi . Baisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaishakh. It falls on the 13th or 14th of April every year.It marks the start of a new solar year and the harvest season.
Baisakhi is one of the most important festivals of Sikhs as it marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth which means the pure one. It was founded by the tenth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh in March 1699. This day is celebrated with great importance and enthusiasm by Sikhs by visit Gurudawars (Sikh temple), taking part in processions and offering prayers.
Baisakhi is not only celebrated by the Sikhs but also by the Hindus and other communities in India. The celebration includes dressing up in traditional attire, offering prayers, performing folk dances and singing songs to celebrate the harvest season.
History
The history of Baisakhi can be traced back to 1699. On this day the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji formed the Khalsa Panth, a community of committed and devoted Sikhs who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause of righteousness and social justice. The first members of the Khalsa Panth are also known as “Panj Pyare”.The five men were given the surname “Singh” which means lion and they were also given five K’s -Kesh, kangha, Kara, Kaccha and Kirpan.
The formation of Khalsa Panth was a significant event in Sikh history because it symbolizes the unification of the Sikhs and the establishment of a distant Sikh identity.
Significance
The significance of Baisakhi is in its historical and cultural roots. As it marks the harvest season, Baisakhi is also a reminder of the resilience and courage of the Sikh community. The creation of the Khalsa Panth was a turning point in Sikh History and this festival serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Sikh community to uphold their values and beliefs. It is a time to show selflessness, compassion and honesty.
Celebration
Baisakhi is a festival celebrated in the northern region of India, particularly in the state of Punjab by the Sikh community and it marks the start of the harvest season. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People pay a visit to the Gurudwara to offer prayers. People dress up in Punjabi attire and also participate in the traditional procession which is led by the “Panj Pyare”.The procession includes music, singing and dancing and people offer food and sweets to participants.
Farmers treat this day as “Thanksgiving”. They express gratitude towards God for their blessings on harvest and for the start of the new harvest season.In BIHAR, Baisakhi is celebrated to honour the Sun God ,” SURYA”.In HIMACHAL PRADESH people visit the Jwala Mukhi mandir to take a dip in the natural hot spring.
BAISAKHI is known by different in names in different parts of India..Like
• PohelaBoishakh in West Bengal
• Bohag Bihu in Assam
• Puthandu in Tamil Naidu
• Bihu in Uttrakhand
• Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
• PooramVishu in Kerala
• MahaVishuva Sankranti in Odisha
FOOD
During Baisakhi, the traditional dish which is served is the Sweet Yellow Rice or Meethe Chawal. The Yellow colour of the rice symbolizes the colour of the fields during the harvest season. This dish is made by cooking basmati rice with sugar, saffron and cardamom.
To sum up…Baisakhi is a festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. It has both religious and cultural importance