Ugadi 2023: Celebrating Baisakhi, The Ugadi Of Punjab

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Baisakhi, the regional holiday for Sikhs arrives every 13 or 14 annually each year. It is also spelt as Baisakhi, which is one of the most significant events in the life an average Sikh. Baisakhi is the harbinger of spring season which the Punjab region celebrates with all the festive spirit and verve. At the end of 17th century, it grew popular with Sikh community as Guru Gobind Singh, chose this festival day to create Khalsa panth.

Vaisakhi or Baishakhi is a momentous occasion for Sikhs. Vaisakhi is essentially a festival that celebrates spring usually on the 13 or 14 April every year. Actually they celebrate the year 1699, as this was the day Sikhism recognized itself as a faith and religion. Since it is the end of the harvest season, farmers have every reason to celebrate it. Mostly the areas observing Vaisakhi or Baisakhi are the states of Punjab and Haryana although it is also to some extent celebrated in some other North Indian states.

Sikhs undertake pilgrimages as well as hold Nagar sankeerthans in the roads of the cities they stay in. Leicester, Vancouver with highest Sikh population are busiest on the day of Baisakhi singing and dancing during their Nagar sankeerthans on the roads. You must have seen the ISKCON devotees also doing sankeerthans like this before. Baisakhi date is fixed on the basis of Nanak Shahi calendar. Baisakhi is a declared holiday for schools and colleges. Commercial shops and malls owned by Sikhs will remain partially closed or will operate only half time.

Rituals

On Baisakhi, it is believed that Guru Gobind Singh challenged Sikhs in his army to pledge their life for the country. No one volunteered. The Guru instead of killing them, consecrated them with amrit and formed a group called Khalsa. Khalsas had five Ks as the main elements that represented them.The Five Ks signify Kesh (hair), Katchera (underwear), Kangha (comb), Kirpan (sword), and the Kara (steel ring).

Spraying of nectar is done even today whenever the sikh gurus baptize Sikhs. Apart from this it is the harvest of Rabi crops that makes this a moment to celebrate and cherish. While Gurudwaras stand pretty decked with lights and colours, the Sikhs of the tribe choose to go on nagar sankeertha, a procession led by the khalsa who sing hymns from the Sikh texts. Sometimes they take the Gurugrantha Sahib along with them in the procession.

Celebrations

The local robust and valorous culture of the Sikhs is depicted aptly in the traditional folk dance or Bhangra which is nothing but a harvest festival dance. Fairs elaborately arranged are another part of the local culture that shows up bits and pieces of the personality of Punjab through its Sikh warriors.

Other parts of India, for Baisakhi, for Hindus, it is just a regular festival that represents a new year. Holy dips in Ganges, dressing in traditional robes, consuming local delicacies, visiting friends and relatives are treasured as memories and memorable experiences. It is also considered auspicious to start any new venture on this day. This is purely reminiscent of the Hindu belief in the same thing, This festival is a symbol of prosperity and cheer for all.

People dance, sing, wear pretty clothes, participate in parades, Dance the Bhangra and Gidda to celebrate the Vaishakhi. People prepare sweets and exchange them. In the morning they hold a special prayer session in Gurudwaras. After the common prayers are over, kada Prasad and langar awaits them. Even at colleges and schools Baisakhi is celebrated.

In the Gurudwaras the Sikhs meet for a prayer session. Granth sahib will be bathed in milk. Sweets are distributed after which the Granth sahib is taken out on a procession during afternoons. The symbols of the festival include the Kirpan; the Kesh, the Kara, the Kangha, and the Katchera.

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