About Baisakhi |
| Event | Baisakhi |
| Location | All over India |
| Category | Festival |
| Date | April 14, 2024 |
| Main Attraction | Baisakhi Melas and special Kirtan programmes in the Gurdwaras |
| Overview/History | The history of the festival dates back to the year 1699. It is an important event in the Sikh Calendar as the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh honoured five of his followers with the revered title of the Panj Pyaras (The beloved Five). As per the legend the Indian men at the time were terror stricken with the rule of tyrant Muslim Ruler Aurangzeb who willed to have only one religion for the people of India and went on to convert people from other religions forcefully. To revive the faith and courage of people, the Guru asked young men to come forward and sacrifice their blood and life. The Panj Pyaras were the only brave men to attend to the call and each time one of them consented to Guru's demands, Guru will take him to the tent and come out with a sword dipped in blood. This happened five times and when Guru came out of the tent for the last time, He was with his beloved five dressed in saffron clothes. All of them were alive and radiant than before. Then and there a new religion Khalsa Panth (Known as Sikhism to most of us) was born whose followers would not fear anyone but the almighty and will live in accordance to their own will. The intended meaning of the Guru of course was to give a new lease of life to the dying conscience of the people. |
| Celebration | Baisakhi is also the time for the harvest of the crops in the northern part of India. The farmers are the most joyous group this day and most of them celebrate by praying to the almighty first thing in the morning, which is followed by a visit to the Baisakhi Melas. These are as much a part of the modern Indian cities as they are of the rural India. These Melas are hot spots of Punjabi culture and are characterized by music and dances like Gidda and Bhangra (Punjabi Folk Dances), wrestling matches (Akharas), sumptuous Punjabi food and unending rides and shopping options.
The Gurdwaras (place of worship for the Sikhs) hold special Gurbani-Kirtan programmes on the occasion and inspire the present generations by acquainting them with their glorious past. Nagar Kirtans (processions) are held throughout the Northern India. Praying remains a part of the Baisakhi celebrations in all the other parts of the country. Though most of the Indian states celebrate the festival, it is known by different names in each part of the country. It is called Rongali Bihu in Assam, Nabha Barsha in West Bengal, Vaishakha in Bihar, Purtahndu in Tamil Nadu and Vishu in Kerala. |
