Vaisakhi is also termed asBaisakhi, the festival celebrated by the Sikh community on the 13th or 14th of the April and is treated as the Sikh New Year's beginning and beginning of the harvesting season of rabi crop.
The word Baisakhi is derived from the term 'Baisakh', the second month of the Nanakshahi calendar. It is a thanksgiving day for the farmers to their deity for the new harvested crop and prosperity for the future.
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikh community, established the foundation of Khalsa Panth in Anandpur Sahib, which means the 'pure ones'.
In this crowd, he asked any Sikh brother to sacrifice his life for the cause of religion. Finally, Five men volunteered for the martyrdom and Guru Gobind Singh ji took them to the tent one by one and came out with the blood covered sword.
At last, he returned with all the five men dressed in blue and turban. He baptized them and they were declared as the first five members ofthe Khalsa Panth, "Panj Pyare", the five beloved.
The Guru gave them a surnameSingh which means Lion and Kaur meaning Princess as their identities.
He then ordered the Panj Pyares to wear five K's :
Kesh, means long hair
Kangha means comb
Kripan means dragger
Kaccha means shorts
Kara means a bracelet.
On this auspicious occasion of Sikh community, the farmers celebrate the new harvest to the fullest which is known as Aawat Pauni. It is celebrated with lots of joy and enthusiasm, especially in the state of Punjab and Haryana.
It is a vibrant fest, full of colours, where men perform Bhangra and women dance on traditional folk gidda. In the early morning, they dress up in new clothes and worship at nearby Gurudwara and participate in Prabhat Pheri.
After the Prabhat Pheri they distribute Kada Prasad to the brothers and sisters present there of their own community and other as well. Later they offer Seva and sit in the Langar.
The Sikh communities of other countries like Pakistan, Canada Afghanistan, USA etc. also celebrate this festival with huge fervor.
We CCs wish you all a very Happy Baisakhi.
Graphics: -Koeli_Appy-