BAISAKHI OR VAISAKHI

BAISAKHI OR VAISAKHI

On this memorable Baisakhi day (March,30 of A.D.1699) , Guru Gobind Singh Sahib called a big meeting at Kesgarh Sahib near the City of Anandpur Sahib. Between fifty to eighty thousand Sikhs attended this meeting. When all were expecting to hear words of comfort and consolation from the lips of their Guru, they were perturbed to see him with a drawn sword in his hand and cried ' Is there anyone here who would lay down his life for Dharam?' There was a big silence, but the Guru went on repeating his demand. At the third call Daya Ram, a Khatri of Lahore, rose from his seat and offered himself. The Guru took him into an adjoining enclosure....(and soon after) came out with the (blood) dripping....(sword in hand) and flourshing it before the gathering, asked again, 'Is there any other Sikh here who will offer himself as a sacrifice(for the cause of dharma)? At this Daram Das, a Jat of Delhi (Haryana side) came forward and was taken into the

enclosure....(The Guru again came out with the blood-stained sword, and made his previous demand). In the same way three other men stood up, one after another, and offered themselves for the sacrifice. One was Mohkam Chand, a chhimba of Dwarka (Gujarat State); another was Himmat, a cook of Jagannath (Orissa State); and the third was Sahib Chand, a barber of Bidar (Karnataka State). The Guru, after dressing the five in handsome clothes, brought them from the assembly.

These five were then administered 'Khande di Pahul' (the double-edged Sword Amrit). They were then knighted as Singhs, as the Five beloved ones, the first members of the Order of the Khalsa. The Guru then asked them to administer the Pahul to him in the same manner in which he had given the Pahul to them, and it was done so.

With the creation of Khalsa, the Khalsa created history and since the birth of Khalsa, the history of Punjab has been the history of Sikhs. Baisakhi played a significant role in this regard. In 1762, Ahmed Shah Abdali, with the sole purpose to destroy the entire Sikh nation, declared 'Jehad'(holy-war) against the Sikhs and all the Muslims of the Punjab rallied under this slogan. The Sikhs were surrounded near the village Kup in Ludhiana District. Chronicles mention that about twenty thousand Sikhs were martyred in a single day. This event is known in the history of the Sikhs as "Ghallughara" (Bloody Carnage). After this, Ahmed Shah Abdali thought that he had crushed the entire Sikh nation, but was greatly disillusioned when after a few months heard that the Sikhs in large number are celebrating Baisakhi at Amritsar. In due course of time Baisakhi reminds every Sikh of his cultural and religious heritage. On Baisakhi day all the Sikhs used to assemble at Amritsar and decide their problems relating to politics and religion. This convention still goes on.

The celebrations of Baisakhi are similar to the three-day schedule of the the celebrations of other Gurpurabs. It is generally celebrated on 13th April every year.

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Baisakhi Festival History Pictures Images Wallpapers

Baisakhiis celebrated throughout the north of Indian subcontinent, particularly by Sikhs of the Punjab side. Now, Baisakhi is being celebrated by the Sikh body across the globe.This festival is close to every other Sikh’s heart because this day marks the formation of Khalsapanth.There are many reasons that even other communities such as Buddhists and Hindus celebrate this festival,like starting of a year.

In Chandigarh, just like other Indian places, diverse festivals are celebrated. The Chandigarh people are so zestful and energetic that they are ever ready to celebrate life. Each single festival is celebrated by them with great pomp and show. These festivals prove to be a great bonding and socializing time for the whole community. Each festival echoes with number of legends, cuisines, and folklore. In the coming paragraphs, great light will be thrown on Chandigarh’s major festivals and fairs.

The festival of Baisakhi is very important for the Punjab people. The time of harvest begins with the festival of Baisakhi. On this festival, there is also the celebration for establishment of PanthKhalsa. As per the calendar, this fiesta of cheerfulness comes on the year’s first day i.e. generally the 14thday of April. In India, the Chandigarh people celebrate Baisakhi with great enthusiasm and gaiety. Everyone wears their best of the best clothes and went to Gurudwaras and temples for prayer. People prepare special and tasty dishes at their home. Traditional dances have been organized. In Chandigarh, this festival is celebrated with great excitement and cheerfulness.

The Baisakhi festival of Chandigarh is celebrated each year on the 13th day of April with grandeur and magnificence. This festival, Baisakhi, comes after such a hard work for the winter harvest that it’s a sure celebration. On Baisakhi Day, which is a symbol of a New Year for Punjabis’, people offer prayers in Gurdwaras, after which folklores are also organized.

Importance or Significance of Baisakhi

The Baisakhi festival have a great importance in the life of Sikh people because it has a reason that in 1699, on the day of Baisakhi, the Sikh’s 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh put the base of KhalsaPanth which means  Pure One’s Order. The farmers on this festival thank God, as they have a plentiful harvest and they also pray for their near future’s successfulness. Baisakhi comes under the essential festivals, which isalso celebrated by other communities with great zeal and excitement.

What People do During Baisakhi?

A lot of people celebrate this festival of Baisakhi in India, dressed in their finery and dance, sing, do wrestling rounds and take pleasure in parades going around. This festival is celebrated by men doing Bhangra dance and Gidda dance by women. People relish zesty dishes and a special sweet called ‘kadaprasad’.

Baisakhi is very important for Sikhs.A lot of Sikhs select this festival to baptize them. On this festival, marches named as Nagar Kirtan, are held on the streets, while singing carols from Guru Granth Sahib.

What Rituals are Performed During Baisakhi?

Sikhs go to the Gurudwara in morning for attending the prayers. Most of the Sikhs reach the venerated Golden temple at Amritsar or in Anandpur Sahib, and Khalsa is performed.
People give bath to Granth Sahib, which is kept on a throne, with water and milk and distribute Kada Prasad, a sanctified sweet made of sugar, butterand flour.

People, in the noon, take out Granth Sahib in a grand way, along with songs, music, public presentations and intonation.

Sikhs offer KarServa in Gurudwaras, i.e. it’s daily jobs. This is considered humanity’s symbol for Sikhs.

Cuisine on Baisakhi

High-spirited Punjabi people enjoy the best Punjabi food on this happening Baisakhi festival. The conventional recipes of Baisakhi provided here help in celebrating this festival with the zesty food of Baisakhi. If you have any recipe worth sharing, then do share it and help in improving this website of the festival of Baisakhi.

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