Baisakhi

"Satguru Daya Nidh Mehma Agadh Bodh, Namo Namo Namo Namo Net Net Net Hai"
"Satguru is an Ocean of Mercy, Daya, Compassion. It means Daya on all alike. This covers the whole humanity."

The festival of Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is one of the most important festival of north India specially in the state of Punjab. The joyous celebrations of Baisakhi festival is associated with the harvest of Rabi crop and holds much importance in rural India. This festival also marks the birth anniversary of Khalsa Panth (Sect). Celebrated with lots of jubilance, frolic and enjoyments, the festival of Vaisakhi comes on the first day of the Vaisakh month (April-May) of Hindu calendar.

Religious Significance
Baisakhi has a special meaning for the Sikhs. Guru Amar Das had first institutionalized Baisakhi in 1567 as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to receive the guru's blessings at Goindwal. On this day in 1699, their tenth GurBaisakhi has so much religious significance for Sikhs as on this day, in the year 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Guru of Sikhs), founded the Khalsa Panth, near Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. uslim rulers who, in barbaric cruelty, threw him alive into a cauldron of boiling oil, on this day.

Visiting Gurudwara
It is then time to visit gurudwaras where kirtans (singing of hymns) are held and kada prasad is distributed. People perform Kar Sewa (physical labour to help in the daily chores of the gurudwara as a symbol of humility) in gurudwaras and listen to recitations from Guru Granth Sahib. Colourful processions, led by the Panj Piaras, are taken out. Children and youth demonstrate their skills in martial arts to the accompaniment of musical bands. Children are taught to perform acts of charity on this auspicious occasion and are expected to continue to do so all through the year.

Celebration
To mark the celebrations of Baisakhi, devotees irrespective to the caste, creed and religion visits Gurudwaras (the place of worship for Sikhs). The festival is also marked by Nagar Kirtans (religious processions), prayers and raising of the Nishan Sahib flag. Early morning of Baiskhai Festival in punjab, people take dip in holy rivers. Cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi" rent the skies as the people of Punjab attired in their best clothes break into the Bhangra dance to express their joy. The dancers and drummers challenge each other to continue the dance. The scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops are expressed through zestful movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads. Both men and women, celebrate the day with Bhangra and Gidda. Fairs are organized at various places in Punjab, where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held.

Other Harvest Festivals around the World
Early morning of Baiskhai Festival in punjab, people take dip in holy rivers. Cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi" rent the skies as the people of Punjab attired in their best clothes break into the Bhangra dance to express their joy. The dancers and drummers challenge each other to continue the dance. The scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops are expressed through zestful movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads. Both men and women, celebrate the day with Bhangra and Gidda. Fairs are organized at various places in Punjab, where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held.