Baisakhi festival of Punjab, also pronounced Vaisakhi, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh, traditionally celebrated on April 13 each year. It is celebrated as a spring harvest festival mainly in Punjab and northern India. In addition, this festival is also celebrated by other Indian cultures and the diaspora.
Although Vaisakhi is culturally significant as a harvest festival, it is also the date of the Hindu Solar New Year in many parts of India. In addition to the importance of harvest festivals, Sikhs believe that during this period, Sikhs hold kirtans, attend local gurdwaras, community fairs, hold Nagar kirtan processions and raise the Nishan under the Sahib flag, where people gather to socialize and share festive food, Visage also celebrates major events in Sikhism and in the history of the Indian subcontinent that took place in the Punjab region.
Baisakhi Festival of Punjab
The tenth guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa order on April 13, 1699 (vaisakhi 1699 birth of khalsa), and Vaisakhi is a significant holiday in Sikhism commemorating this event. On April 12, 1801, Ranjit Singh was subsequently crowned Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, creating a single governmental entity.
Vasakhi Day was also the day Bengal Army officer Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on a crowd of protesters in what later became known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre; the massacre had a major impact on the history of the Indian independence movement.
For many Hindu communities, the festival is characterized by ritual bathing in holy rivers such as the Ganga, Jhelum and Kaveri, visiting temples, meeting friends, participating in other festivities and performing the obligatory daan. Mug and seasonal fruit. Community fairs are held at Hindu pilgrimage sites.
The festival also celebrates the worship and propitiation of various deities such as Durga Maa in Himachal Pradesh, Surya in Bihar and Vishnu in South India. Although Vaisakhi was originally a grain harvest festival for Hindus and its celebration predates the founding of Sikhism, it eventually developed its historical connection with the Sikhs after the inauguration of the Khalsa.
Vaisakhi Khalsa Sajna Diwas | Baisakhi History
Celebrated as the Sikh New Year and the establishment of the Khalsa Panth, Baisakhi, also goes by the name Vaisakhi Festival. The history of Baisakhi begins with the Baisakhi Day celebrations in 1699 (Vaisakhi 1699 birth khalsa), which were called by Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Sikh Guru, to establish the Khalsa, or Brotherhood of Saint Soldiers, in order to combat persecution and tyranny.
Vaisakhi Story
The story of the Baisakhi Festival started with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru who was publicly beheaded with the aid of Aurungzeb, the Mughal ruler. Aurungzeb wanted to unfold Islam in India and Guru Tegh Bahadur stood up for the rights of Hindus and Sikhs and the Mughals consequently noticed him as a threat.
After the death of Guru Teg Bahadur, his son, Guru Gobind Singh became the next Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh wished to instil courage and energy to sacrifice amongst his fellow men. To fulfil his dream, Guru Gobind Singh called on the historical Baisakhi Day congregation of Sikhs at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur on March 30, 1699.
When hundreds of people assembled for Guru’s blessing, Guru Gobind Singh got here out of the tent carrying an unsheathed sword. He gave an effective speech to infuse courage amongst fellowmen. At the end of the speech, he stated that every tremendous deed was once preceded via equally top-notch sacrifice and demanded that anyone prepared to give his existence come forward.
After the Guru’s third call, a young man offered himself. The Guru led the man into the tent and reappeared alone with a bloody sword. Guru Gobind Singh asked for another volunteer. This was repeated four more times until five Sikhs entered the tent with the Guru. Everyone present was worried even though Guru Gobind Singh had killed five Sikhs. At this time the Guru placed all the five people before the people. Everyone present was surprised to see the five men still alive, dressed in turbans and saffron clothes.
These five persons are called by the Guru as ‘Panj Piara’ or ‘beloved five’. The Guru blessed them with Bahura rites. In an iron vessel, the Guru touched the bhattasha in the water with a sword called Khanda Sahib, his wife Mata Sundari Ji. While the Guru presides over the sacred rites, the congregation recites the scriptures. This water is now considered the divine nectar of immortality called amrita. First it is given to five volunteers, then the master drinks it and then distributes it to the crowd. By this ceremony all present, irrespective of caste or creed, become members of the Khalsa Pantha (Pure Order).
The Guru regarded the Panch Piaras as the first members of the Khalsa and the embodiment of the Guru himself. With the constitution of the Panj Pyare, the high and low castes were amalgamated into one, as among the original Panj Pyare, there was one Khatri, a shopkeeper; one Jat, a farmer; one Chhimba, a calico printer; one Ghumar, a water carrier; and one Nai, a barber. The Guru gave the surname of Singh (Lion) to every Sikh and also took the name for himself. From Guru Gobind Rai he became Guru Gobind Singh. This was seen as a great step in national integration because society at that time was divided based on religion, caste and social status.
Guru Gobind Singh also bestowed on Khalsa, the unique Sikh identity. He directed Sikhs to wear five K’s: Kesh or long hair, Kangha or comb, Kripan or dagger, Kachha or shorts and a Kara or bracelet. Guru Gobind Singh also discontinued the tradition of Gurus and asked all Sikhs to accept the Grantha Sahib as their eternal guide. He urged them to come to him with their hair and beard unshorn to get baptized by the sword.
Baisakhi Festival In Punjab
Baisakhi is the harvest festival of Punjab and is celebrated in many parts of India in different ways, but the Sikh celebration is concentrated in Punjab Northern India near the Pakistan border, especially in and around the holy city of Amritsar. You can expect lots of bhangra dancing in the streets and folk music performances, especially in the Old Part of the city around the Golden Temple. The lively bazaars that surround the temple are high-spirited during Baisakhi, becoming carnival-like.
The Vaisakhi or Baisakhi fairs are organized all over Punjab and are a festival highlight for many people. Locals dress up in their finest clothes, sing, and dance. There are races, wrestling bouts, mock fights with Sikh kirpans (swords), acrobatics, and folk music. Numerous stalls selling trinkets, handicrafts, and local cuisine add to the enthusiasm.
One of the most popular fairs is the Baisakhi Mela at 17th-century Pinjore Gardens in Pinjore City. In addition, a Baisakhi Mela usually takes place in the lead-up to the festival at Dilii Haat in Delhi.
Baisakhi Traditions and Customs
Dress
As we all know Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is the harvest festival of Punjab and as a celebration of the new spring, Vaisakhi is an occasion that sees men, women and children celebrate this joyous occasion by buying new clothes, picking the most lively and dynamic of the lot to reflect the atmosphere of happiness felt throughout the crowd.
The turban with the fan-like adornment worn with a kurta, a waistcoat, the rumaal or scarf, and the lungi tied around their waist, worn by men as Traditional Punjabi attire, while the women wear the customary Salwar Kameez with the most festive and gaudy jewellery. The multi-coloured brilliance of this attire reflects the perky and bubbly nature of the Punjabi way of living.
Food
Various food stalls are set up at the Baisakhi fairs to keep the crowds refreshed and excited as they party all night. Generally, Punjabi cuisines 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.
Dances Performed During Baisakhi
The traditional dances, 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 stunts.
Baisakhi Processions
Nagar Kirtan is an important part of the celebrations of Vaisakhi or Baisakhi in Punjab. The most sacred scripture Guru Granth Sahib Ji is taken out with honour by traditionally dressed Panj Piaras, also known as the five senior religious Sikhs, and an important part of the Khalsa traditions. Vaisakhi or 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 Vaisakhi or 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 lives of people.
Baisakhi In India
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Hindus believe River Goddess Ganga descended on earth from heaven on the day of Vaisakhi or Baisakh. This day is celebrated as one of the largest Vaisakhi fairs in India which is held at Haridwar, an important Hindu pilgrimage. More than 5 million pilgrims throng Brahm Kund in Haridwar to take a dip in the Ganga river on this festival to seek the blessings of God.
Punjab
In Punjab, Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is celebrated with merriment, especially in Amritsar, and Anandpur sahib. Every state of Punjab celebrates this day by organising Nagar Kirtans and fairs.
Jammu
Among Dogra Hindus, Vaisakhi is an important festival in the Jammu region. On this day, people get up early, throng the rivers, canals, and ponds and take a ritual dip every year on this occasion. A Puja is performed afterwards and part of the food crop is offered to the deities. The new fruit of the year is enjoyed on this day. A Ritual Bath at the Tawi River during Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is common in Jammu.
Himachal Pradesh
Vaisakhi is an important festival of Hindus in Himachal. On this day people get up early and have a ritual bath. Two earthen lamps are lighted on this day one of Sangiya of oil and the other one is Jyot of Ghee. These are kept in a large saucer along with a water pot, blades of evergreen turf, Kusha, Incense, Sandal, Vermillion and Dakshina and a puja is performed. Alms are given in the form of rice and pulses with small coins which are placed near Deity. This is called Nasrawan and is common to family priests.
Uttar Pradesh
As per Hindu Solar Calendar, Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of Vaisakha, which is also known as Sattuā or Satwahi, and people donate and consume Sattu on this day. The common rituals during this festival are bath in a river or pond and eating Sattu and Gur.
The following is a list of new year festivals (Vaisakhi or Baisakhi):
- Bohag Bihu in Assam, India
- Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal, India and Bangladesh
- Pana Sankranti (Maha Vishuba Sankranti) in Odisha, India
- Jur Sital in Mithila (Bihar, India and parts of Nepal)
- Bwisagu in Bodoland region of Assam, India
- Bisu in Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, India
- Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, India and parts of Sri Lanka
- Vishu in Kerala, India
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FAQ
Q1 What is the main festival of Punjab?
Ans: One of the important festivals of Punjab is Baisakhi, a harvest festival that celebrates the occasion of harvesting the first crop of the year.
Q2 Why do farmers celebrate Baisakhi?
Ans: Baisakhi is a major event for the farmers as it commemorates the harvest time of the Rabi season. Wheat crops could be seen growing and swinging all across Punjab at this time of year. Farmers get ecstatic and delighted when they see the crop.
Q3 What is the Baisakhi harvest festival of?
Ans: The Vaisakhi or Baisakhi festival marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year which is majorly celebrated in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana.
Q4 What food is eaten during Baisakhi?
Ans: Kada Prasad, Sarso ka Saag and Makke ki Roti, Pindi Chole Pindi Chana or chole are traditional dish.
Q5 Why is it called Baisakhi?
Ans: Hence the name, Vaisakhi or Baisakhi. In tonal languages like Bengali, it is pronounced as ‘Boishakhi’. Vaisakhi which is observed on Sankranti of Vaisakh month literally means ‘related to Vaisakh month’, which in turn is derived from the name of a Nakshatra known as Vishakha.
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Conclusion: Vaisakhi or Baisakhi festival of Punjab represent joy and cultural richness and the Baisakhi beat the boundaries to bring all different communities together and encourage a sense of unity and fraternity. It is a celebration and thanksgiving time that marks the harvest with worship and joy.
