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Baisakhi

One day and so many events altogether. Baisakhi is not only the New Year for Sikhs but also, their main harvest festival and a mega event that stirs all the Sikhs like nothing else does. This day has significance not only for the Sikhs but Hindus as well. It is the beginning of their Solar New Year. As a matter of fact this day is celebrated as religious New year in different parts in the entire country with different names.

One of the major reasons for the significance that this day holds for Sikhs is that it was on this day when Guru Gobind Singh organized the Sikhs into Khalsa or the pure ones. This not only curtailed the differences of rich and poor, big and small but also established equality that laid the foundation of prosperity in the society.

Baisakhi has a significance of its own for two major religious groups of the country, the Hindus and the Sikhs. According to the Hindu Mythology it was on this day thousands of years back that Ganges was descended on the Earth. This day to Hindus means bathing, worshipping and partying all night long. But nothing adds singularity to the festival like Sikhs do. The most popular folk dance form of the Punjab depicts the harvesting tale from sowing till harvesting. If you happen to see men performing Bhangra in the villages of the Punjab you will certainly get the picture. The rapturous beats of the Dhol and the energy in the environment make anyone non-resistant to this strenuous dance form.

Apart from the dance and fervor, Sikhs on this day visit Gurdwaras where they offer prayers to their Holy book known as the Granth Sahib and their respective holy Gurus thereafter. Later on when the religious ceremonies come to an end, Langars are organized in a titanic number and Prasad is distributed to practically anyone and everyone either in markets or on streets or their homes. An unforgettable part of the day is the parade organized all over the country in which Sikhs take part in large numbers with flags and colorful turbans.

Unlike other festivals, Baisakhi has a flavor of its own that is unmatched and peerless.