BAISAKHI—OF GURUDWARAS, BHANGRAS AND SARSON KA SAAG'S
Place of Merriment: Punjab
Although there are many different beliefs about the reason for celebrating this festival, on this day the Sun enters Aries, this is also a reason for celebrating the festival.
Information on Baisakhi Festival
Baisakhi is perhaps one of
the most vibrant and joyful festivals for the Punjabis and Sikhs. It is also
referred to as 'Punjabi New Year' or 'Vaisakhi'. It falls during the first
month of Punjab calendar 'Vaisakh', according to Nanakshahi—the Sikh Calendar. This
day normally falls on April 13. Once in 36 years, it is celebrated on April 14.
BAISAKHI: A purely Indian Festival
For the Sikh community, it is the birthday of their tenth Guru—Guru Gobind Singh. On this day, in 1699, he founded the Panth Khalsa—the order of Pure ones. Sikhs visit gurdwaras and listen to kirtans (devotional songs). They listen to the recitations from the Guru Granth Sahib. After the prayers, they eat kada prasad (sweetened semolina) offered to the entire community. They sit down together for the traditional langar cooked and served by the volunteers—both young and old alike.Thanksgiving Time By The Farmers
For the massive farming community of Punjab, Baisakhi is that the harvest for rabi crops. On today, farmers thank god for the crop and pray permanently times ahead.
A Time For Bhangra and Gidda
They enjoy themselves to the fullest by dancing during a true "Bhangra' and 'Gidda' step to precise their joy and happiness. Cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi" rent the skies with the beating of drums and dhols. Punjabi delicacies like 'Sarson ka saag' and Makki ki roti are savored to the fullest.
Baisakhi Fairs
Baisakhi Fairs are extremely popular. People come with their family and friends from far off places come to these fairs to witness bhangra and gidda dances, races, wrestling bouts, singing and acrobatics. They listen to the folk instruments, such as vanjli and algoza.
Baisakhi Rituals: Method of Celebration
- On this day, people gather around the fire and celebrate the happiness of the money that came after successful cutting.
- On this day, new food is dedicated to the fire. People in Punjab perform traditional dance Bhangra on this day.
- Ardas is performed in the Gurdwaras.
- On this day, special worship is offered at Anandpur Sahib where the foundation of the Khalsa Panth was laid.
- In the Gurdwaras, the Guru Granth Sahib is brought out and bathed symbolically with milk and water and is revered on the throne.
- After this, Panch Pyare performs.
- After the completion of Ardas, the Guru is offered hard offerings.
- Then the lumber starts.
Baisakhi Puja Katha: Story of Baisakhi
The related to this festival is from the time of Pandavas of Mahabharata. It is said that when the Pandavas reached Katraj Tal in Punjab at the time of their exile, they were thirsty for a big swing. Leaving Yudhishthira to quench his thirst, the brother who came to the lake, where he drank water even after refusing the Yaksha, as a result, all four died. When his brothers did not come back for a long time, Yudhishthira was worried about his brothers and they went in search of him.When Yudhishthira too reached near that pond and proceeded to drink water, the Yaksha came again and started asking Yudhishthira to answer my questions first, then only you can drink water. Yaksha kept asking questions and Yudhishthira gave answers Yaksha pleased with him. He told them about the death of his brothers and said that you can get one of your brothers alive.
Then Yudhishthira prayed to revive his brother Sahadeva, the Yaksha asked with surprise, that you asked for the release of your stepbrother and his stepbrother to get him alive. Then Yudhishthira said in reply that, 2 sons of Mata Kunti should live, it would be better to have a son of Mother Madri also alive, Yaksha was pleased with Yudhishthira's talk and he gave life to his four brothers. Since then, a huge fair is organized on this day on the banks of the holy river and a procession also comes out, and in the procession, five pawed bare pavs go ahead and the festival of Baisakhi is celebrated with enthusiasm.
