~Happy Vaisakhi/Baisakhi everyone~

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13th Anniversary Thumbnail Stunner Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 11 years ago
#1












Baisakhi festival, celebrated across the north Indian subcontinent specially Punjab holds a great significance for the sikhs since Pandh Khalisa (order of the pure ones) was found by Guru Gobind Singh on the same day in 1699. This day is celebrated with a parade in both Western and Eastern parts of the world. Thousands of Sikhs get together and dedicate the day to doing 'seva' [selfless service] and attending the Sikh Parade to proudly declare the 'Khalsa Panth' to have crossed another year since 1699. On this day, giving than taking is greatly emphasized with the countless number of Sikhs doing seva and the distribution of food for one and all. The day is started off with a visit to the Gurudwara [temple] first before the parade takes place. Along with that, Vaisakhi also marks the day of harvest for many farmers in Punjab and in celebration of the harvest, this holiday is welcomed with open arms and much joy.

There is one God
His Name is Truth
The All-pervading Creator,
Without fear, without hatred
Immortal, unborn, self-existent,
By grace, the Enlightener.
True in the beginning, true throughout the ages,
True even now, Nanak, and forever shall be true.



Since agriculture is the backbone of the Indian sub-continent, it provides a livelihood to majority of the people in the rural areas of the country and the festivals of harvest are given special importance in the calendar of events.

Vaisakhi/Baisakhi is one of the important festivals celebrated with fun and fervor by the people living in the northern parts of the country. Apart from being a harvest festival, it holds religious significance too



The auspicious date of Baisakhi is celebrated all over India under different names and different set of rituals and celebrations. Baisakhi date coincides with 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala.



Baisakhi di Lakh Lakh Badhai
Sahaj sukh je jaage andar
Jaage nazraan vich ik aasaa
Birhaa jaage te mann tarpe
Milne nu fir jee udaasaa.

Khich vairaag di jad seene paindi
fir aann miley sajjan pyaaraa
seel sanjam sarab sukh mildaa
Puran hove mann di aassa.

Story of Baisakhi

The story of Baisakhi Festival began with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru who was publicly beheaded by the Aurungzeb, the Mughal ruler. Aurungzeb wanted to spread Islam in India and Guru Tegh Bahadur stood up for the rights of Hindus and Sikhs and the Mughals therefore saw him as a threat.

After the death of Guru Teg Bahadur, his son, Guru Gobind Singh became the next Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh wished to instill courage and strength to sacrifice among his fellow men. To fulfil his dream, Guru Gobind Singh called on the historic Baisakhi Day congregation of Sikhs at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur on March 30, 1699.

When thousands of people assembled for Guru's blessing, Guru Gobind Singh came out of the tent carrying an unsheathed sword. He gave a powerful speech to infuse courage amongst fellowmen. At the end of the speech he said that every great deed was preceded by equally great sacrifice and demanded that anyone prepared to give his life come forward. On the Guru's third call, a young man offered himself. The Guru took the man inside a tent and reappeared alone with a bloodied sword. Guru Gobind Singh asked for another volunteer. This was repeated another four times until a total of five Sikhs had gone into the tent with the Guru. Everyone present was worried and though that Guru Gobind Singh has killed five Sikhs. At this point Guru presented all the five men before the people. Every one present was surprised to see all five men alive and wearing turbans and saffron-coloured garments.

These five men were called Panj Piara or 'Beloved Five' by the Guru. The Guru blessed them with a Pahul ceremony. In an iron vessel, the Guru stirred with a sword called Khanda Sahib, the batasha that his wife, Mata Sundari Ji had put into water. The congregation recited verses from scriptures as the Guru performed the sacred ceremony. The water was now considered the sacred nectar of immortality called amrit. It was first given to the five volunteers, then drunk by the guru and later distributed amongst the crowd. With this ceremony, all those present, irrespective of caste or creed, became members of the Khalsa Pantha (the Order of the Pure Ones).

The Guru regarded the Panch Piaras as the first members of the Khalsa and the embodiment of the Guru himself. With the constitution of the Panj Pyare the high and low castes were amalgamated into one as among the original Panj Pyare, there was one Khatri, shopkeeper; one Jat, farmer; one Chhimba, calico printer; one Ghumar, water-carrier; and one Nai, a barber. The Guru gave the surname of Singh (Lion) to every Sikh and also took the name for himself. From Guru Gobind Rai he became Guru Gobind Singh. This was seen as a great step in national integration because society at that time was divided on the basis of religion, caste and social status.

Guru Gobind Singh also bestowed on Khalsa, the unique Sikh identity. He directed Sikhs to wear five K's: Kesh or long hair, Kangha or comb, Kripan or dagger, Kachha or shorts and a Kara or bracelet. Guru Gobind Singh also discontinued the tradition of Gurus and asked all Sikhs to accept the Grantha Sahib as their eternal guide. He urged them to come to him with their hair and beard unshorn to get baptized by the sword.

credit: http://www.baisakhifestival.com (there is loads more cool information available there on the festival)





Edited by poonamgarg - 11 years ago

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Angel_Luv thumbnail
13th Anniversary Thumbnail Stunner Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 11 years ago
#2

Heres some baisakhi specials 4 you all...






























spvd thumbnail
17th Anniversary Thumbnail Trailblazer Thumbnail + 4
Posted: 11 years ago
#3
Happy Tamil New Year
Happy Bengali New Year
Happy Baisakhi
Happy Vishu everyone...
rajnishah678 thumbnail
9th Anniversary Thumbnail Explorer Thumbnail Commentator Level 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 11 years ago
#4
Happy baisakhi to all enjoy...

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