Grand vibrant processions and chants of hymns from the holy Guru Granth Sahib reverberating in the sky, Baisakhi celebrations are a yearly spectacle. The day reminds us of the path shown to the members of the Sikh faith by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Baisakhi festival is celebrated every year on the 13th of April. It is celebrated as the New Year as per the Sikh calendar and comes in the month of Baisakh. Sometimes it also arrives on the 14th of April. This is the time when crops ripen in Punjab and are all set to be harvested. With the arrival of the Spring season, the Sikh community and the farmers in Punjab thank the Lord for a lush harvest and ask for the same in the coming year. It symbolizes the farmers of Punjab receiving the fruits of their year-long efforts.
Apart from being the harvest festival of India, it is a very significant day for people of Sikh faith. This is the day when Guru Gobind Singh Ji who was the 10th Guru of the Sikhs formed the Khalsa Panth or the Order of the Pure Ones. The Khalsa Panth is a brotherhood of Sikh Saint Soldiers and it was formed to fight against oppression and injustice that the Sikh brothers and sisters were being subjected to.
In 1699 when religious tyranny was at its peak in India. Guru Gobind Singh Ji called upon all Sikh brothers and urged them to assemble at Kesgarh Sahib near Anandpur on the day of Baisakhi. It is believed that around 50,000 to 80,000 people gathered at the call of their Guru.
As the crowd waited for their Guru, he appeared from inside a tent and brandished his sword. He asked the people if there was anyone among them who was willing to lay his life for a great cause. After a long silence When finally, a man came forward he took him inside the tent and returned alone with a bloodied sword. He repeated his call four more times and four more brave ones came forward. Each time the Guru returned from the tent with blood on his sword.
As silence fell among the gathering, the five men emerged from the tent all safe and dressed in orange attire and turban looking like Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These five men were then knighted by him as the Panj Piyare or the 5 Beloved Ones. They were Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh, and Bhai Sahib Singh. The Guru declared that wherever the Panj Piyare would be there he would be there too. He knighted them as the first members of the Khalsa Panth. They were declared by the Guru as the holiest of the holy.
This was a landmark step because all the 5 members came from different parts of the country and had roots in different castes. Their knighthood into the Khalsa Panth dissolved all boundaries of caste and religion and united them in the brotherhood. They were given the surname Singh or Lion by the Guru. He urged them to initiate him too into the Khalsa Panth and he took this name himself as well and thus became Guru Gobind Singh Ji. All other members of the Sikh faith also took this surname.
The Guru also urged all his Sikh brothers to wear 5 Ks. These were Kesha which means long and uncut hair, Kada which is a bracelet, Kacchha which means shorts, Kirpan which is a dagger, and Kangha which means comb. Each of these has a deep meaning and is symbolic in its own way. For instance, the Kirpan symbolizes the commitment to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
He also discontinued the tradition of Gurus in the Sikh faith and declared that the holy Guru Granth Sahib would be followed as the eternal guide. These words by Guru Gobind Singh Ji are followed to this day by every member of the Sikh faith no matter where they reside in the world.
The Amrit ceremony was held by the Guru after he bestowed knighthood upon the holy 5. He stirred holy water in an iron vessel with a holy sword that was double-edged. It was called the Khanda Sahib. The Khanda Sahib is considered very holy in the Sikh faith. A batasha prepared by Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s wife was also placed in the holy water. Sacred verses were chanted as this happened.
The holy water or Amrit was given to the Panj Piyare and was consumed by the Guru as well. It was also distributed among the gathering. Following this everyone present there became a member of the Khalsa Panth.
Even today when members are initiated into the Khalsa Panth the Amrit ceremony is held.
Baisakhi festival celebrations are very vibrant and joyful wherever they are held. The Gurudwaras which are the sacred places of worship for Sikhs are a sight to behold on Baisakhi day. They are decorated in a very beautiful way. Hymns from the holy Guru Granth Sahib are chanted as well. Distributing the Kara Prasad among the devotees is also done on the day of Baisakhi.
Processions are carried out in which children and youth display their skills related to martial arts which is specific to the Sikh faith and is called Gatka. These processions are called Nagar Kirtans. A major part of Baisakhi festival celebrations is the Langar which is the community lunch that is served to people. In fact, serving Langar is practiced throughout the year at Gurudwaras.
Orange and yellow colors are associated with Baisakhi. While many other colours add to the celebrations, these two colours hold special significance. They symbolize happiness but more than that they also stand as a reminder of the courage and spirit of the Panj Piyare and Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
However, the most glorious celebration is held at Anandpur, since this is the place where the Khalsa Panth was formed. A grand procession is carried out in honor of the holy Guru Granth Sahib. The verses that were recited by the Panj Piyare are recited by priests. The holy water or Amrita is prepared again and is distributed among the devotees who have to drink it 5 times.
Many members of the Sikh faith choose this day to be initiated into the Khalsa Panth. After the initiation ceremony, they can be rightfully called Guru Ka Singh. They are called the Amritdhari Sikhs because they have consumed the Amrit. The ceremony of initiating them is called the Amrit Pahul. It is conducted with full rituals which include chanting the hymns from the holy Guru Granth Sahib. After being initiated they have to follow a life of very strict discipline.
Grand fairs are organized in many parts of Punjab. People gather here dressed in their finest traditional Punjabi attire and celebrate the Baisakhi festival with much enthusiasm. Many singers sing Punjabi songs and people perform the traditional dance forms Bhangra and Gidda. Colors of all kinds are visible to the eyes. Just being a part of these fairs fills one with so much happiness.
Baisakhi festival is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated as the Sikh New Year. Characterized by fairs and processions, Baisakhi celebrations leave people filled with joy. It is not only the harvest festival of India but also symbolizes the spirit and courage of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Panj Piyare, and the brothers and sisters of the Sikh faith. This is the auspicious day when the Khalsa Panth was formed. Celebrating this festival means celebrating courage, hope, and unity.
Baisakhi is celebrated not just in India but in many other countries as well where people of the Sikh faith reside. People go to Gurudwaras, participate in Nagar Kirtans, and even attend Baisakhi fairs. But most importantly they remember their Guru and what he taught to the members of the Sikh faith.
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