Baishaki-Shik Festival
'Baisakhi' is also called 'Vaisakhi'. Baisakhi is usually celebrated on 13 April, and very occasionally on 14 April every year. The Baisakhi festival is a seasonal festival. It is celebrated all over the India especially in Punjab and Haryana by all classes of people. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs all take part in this celebration. It is celebrated to mark the arrival of the harvest season.
Baisakhi is the major festival of Sikhs. For the Sikhs it is not only a festival of harvest but also marks the birth of Sikh brotherhood and Sikh unity. It was on this day in 1699 that the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh organised the Sikhs into Khalsa or the pure ones.
On the day of Baisakhi people put on new clothes. They prepare Halawa and several tasty things at home. A fair is held everywhere in connection with the Baisakhi festival. Generally the fair is held by the side of a river. On Baisakhi day there is great rush in the fair. Sikhs celebrate this festival in a special manner. They visit temples, read holy Granth and commemorate the teachings of the great Gurus.
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Baisakhi is an important festival celebrated primarily in by the Sikh community. It is the harvest festival wherein the farmers pay tribute and thank Gods for a bountiful harvest and also pray for prosperous future. Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is celebrated on April 13th or April 14th of every year. It coincides with the Sikh New Year. On this day, in 1699, the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh JI, organized the order of the Khalsa. Hence it is of great importance to the Sikhs and they celebrate it with full zeal and zest.
On Baisakhi, people visit Gurudwaras to attend special prayer meetings. The Guru Granth Sahib, holy book of the Sikhs, is read to the followers in the Gurudwara. After the afternoon prayers, Karah Prasad or sweetened semolina is offered to the Guru and then distributed amongst the devotees. Langar (community lunch) is made and served by the volunteers. Various kirtans are also held to remember God and the significance of this day. This festival marks the harvest of the winter crops hence, very significant to the farmers. After paying respects in the Gurudwara, the men and women gather in a park or open field and ostentatiously celebrate the festival of Baisakhi.
On this day, many processions are held. People flock in large numbers to join these processions and celebrate the festival with the entire community. Famous Punjabi dhol adds to the fun and frolic of the celebration. The loud and energetic music brings everyone to the dance floor. Men and women dress up in their traditional clothes and enjoy with lot of food, music and dance. At many places, Baisakhi fairs are held. People participate in these fairs to buy goods from the local farmers and artisans. Bhangra and gidda are performed by men and women respectively. Wrestling matches, singing competitions and acrobatic performances are organized. Baisakhi is celebrated with all its charm and grandeur. It brings people together, reminds them of their cultural heritage and is a day to be thankful for all the gifts bestowed upon us by God.