VAISAKHI

Vaisakhi which is also pronounced as Baisakhi is a holiday celebrated in the Hindu and Sikh culture. It is celebrated on the 13th and 14th of April and has been celebrated for over 300 years; celebrated with gaiety, vigor, and enthusiasm. Although originally from Punjab, the holiday is celebrated by people of all various ethnic backgrounds in countries ranging from India to Canada.

The holiday is celebrated by those of the Sikh community. They commence the festivities by going to the Gurdwara in the morning for service. At the Gurdwara there is often a lot of donation of free food in the form of Langar. People of various financial backgrounds, whether rich or poor, unite with one another to share this meal. Subsequently, a procession is often held through the streets with singing, chanting, and the wearing of colorful clothing in celebration of the festival. During Vaisakhi, processions called Nagar Keertan are led by five individuals who lead the festive parades and represent the Panj Pyare.

Additionally, the festival includes the celebration of a traditional folk dance known as Bhangra, with its dance moves being performed to the rhythm of the drum known as Dhol.

The festival retains historical value, and for this reason, it is celebrated. For instance, several key historical events are connected to the festival, including the inauguration of Khalsa which is initiated in the 17th century. The festival is celebrated in Hinduism as well for commemorating the beginning of the Solar New Year, which is a traditional New Year in many South and Southeast Asian cultures.

Vaisakhi also commemorates the inauguration of the Khalsa in the late 17th century, for those Sikhs who have been initiated or baptized. The inaugural Khalsa was formed so as to take a stand against the religious oppression Sikhs were facing at the time. Gurmeet Singh, secretary-general for the Sikh Council UK, tells The Independent that “The inauguration of the Khalsa signifies freedom of belief, the concept of warriors with spiritual dispositions and the rejection of artificial distinctions based upon tribes, ethnicity, and race.”

Vaisakhi is a festival that carries with it religious merit and is possessed with the opportunity for those of the Hindu and Sikh community to recognize the value of their religion. It gives an opportunity for people of these communities to connect with loved ones and bask themselves in the day’s festivities; relinquishing the food, clothes, and prayers that connect them with their sense of spirituality and gods.

Vaisakhi is a festival that truly helps people embrace their culture with sheer pride, allowing their message of unity to take precedence. The festival commemorates not only the worship of spiritual beings but a reminder of the pride that should encompass the religions of Sikhism & Hinduism as well.

by- Sanjana Karthik