Vaisakhi
Are you fond of Punjabi festivals? Do you love to dance on beats of drums? Do you love the energy that all traditional Punjabi folks put to dance? I think by now you must have guessed the name of this festival. Yes, it is Vaisakhi!
This festival calls for the celebration of life through singing, dancing, parades and wrestling matches, each resounding with the powerful force of life that resides within the Sikhs. A loud and open-hearted people they will drag you into the festivities and send you home breathless from dancing and unable to see beyond your full belly.
Vaisakhi, also known or spelled as Baisakhi (ਵਿਸਾਖੀ in Gurmukhi) is the biggest festival of Sikhs and Punjabis in all over the world. The festival is also known as the harvest festival of India’s state, Punjab. The festival of Vaisakhi is the beginning of Sikh New Year. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, formed the Khalsa Panth in Anandpur Sahib on this day of the year 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji also announced Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the infinite Guru of Sikhs.
Sikhs or Punjabis on the day of Vaisakhi visit Gurudwara and take a bath in holy tank of water, known as Sarovar. All over the world, every Gurudwara (especially Golden Temple) is decorated with lots of lights, flowers, candles, etc. Hindus also visit their nearest holy river such as Ganges, Kaveri and Jhelum and take a bath there. This festival of Solar New Year in Hindus is known by many other religious names.
The primary significance of celebrating Vaisakhi festival is that it is the time of harvesting crops. For farmers, it is known as the harvest festival. The farmers, all over the state of Punjab and Haryana, not only thank God for their healthy crops but also pray for the prosperity of their future crops. Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year; Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, Bohag Bihu in Assam, ‘Pooram Vishu’ in Kerala, are celebrated at the same time as Baisakhi.
So, what are you waiting for, celebrate this Vaisakhi with all the fun & joy with your dear ones and do visit temple near you for prayers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ankita Popli
I am an art lover; a Web Designer by profession, an artist by hobby, loves photography and trying my hands in writing. I like to surf the internet and read articles, blogs and see beautiful pictures of our everyday surroundings. You may catch me at [email protected].