Baisakhi is a Hindi word, which comes from the Sanskrit language, meaning “Vaisakha”. It is also known as Vaisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vishu. Baisakhi is commemorated as the Solar New Year in the SolarRegion. On this day, the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, marking the beginning of the solar new year. The festivals of Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Ugadi in Karnataka, and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu are celebrated on the same day.
In the Gregorian calendar, Baisakhi falls on April 13 or 14 every year. However, in the Indian national calendar, it is observed on the first day of the month of Vaisakha. The current year is 2023.
Baisakhi is also a harvest festival, and is celebrated by Punjabis and Hindus.
What is Baisakhi?
Baisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated on April 13 or 14 in the Northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh. The Sikh community celebrates it as the birth of the Sikh Panth and the harvest season. The festival is also celebrated by the Hindus in the region as a solar new year and an ancient fertility rite.
On this day, the Sun enters the constellation of Aries, marking the beginning of the solar new year. The farmers thank the Almighty for the beauty of nature and for the abundance of food. In the morning, people gather at the local gurdwaras and take part in a special Baisakhi Nagar Kirtan, or holy procession. The procession is accompanied by traditional folk songs, drum beats and folk dancers.
Baisakhi marks the start of the Sikh and Hindu New Year, and is often referred to as the “Festival of Hope” or the “Festival of Joy”. On this day, people wear traditional clothing and exchange gifts, sweets, and flowers with each other. Families come together to celebrate the festival with food and festivities, and everyone rejoices in the good harvest. People of all faiths come together to celebrate this joyous occasion, and it is a reminder of the diverse cultures united in India.
Why is Baisakhi celebrated?
Baisakhi is a celebration of the joy of life, the power of nature, and the bountiful harvest of the fields and the rivers. It is a time to celebrate the abundance that comes with the new year, and to come together in a spirit of community and fellowship.
The festival of Baisakhi is of immense significance to the farmers of Punjab, as it marks the onset of the wheat harvest season. In the past, it was a day to thank the Gods for a successful harvest and pray that the coming year would also be as bountiful.
Apart from being a time to celebrate the start of the new year and the harvest season, Baisakhi holds great religious importance for both the Hindu and Sikh communities. For Hindus, it marks the start of the new year according to the Hindu solar calendar.
For the Sikh community, Baisakhi holds a special significance, as it marks the establishment of the Khalsa Panth (Order of the Pure) by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is a day to remember their spiritual teacher and to renew their commitment to living their lives according to the teachings of the Guru.
At its core, the festival is a reminder of the importance of community and fellowship, and the need to come together and celebrate life, regardless of faith and belief.
What are the traditions associated with Baisakhi?
Baisakhi comes with its own set of traditions, which are followed with great fervour by the Hindu and Sikh communities. For starters, homes and shops are cleaned and brightly decorated for the festival. Special, colourful prayers called ‘ardas’ are performed in gurudwaras and temples, and devotional hymns dedicated to the creator are sung.
The special Sikh ‘paath’ or prayer is read out, inviting everyone to remember the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh in creating the Khalsa Panth. The ‘paath’ focuses on the teachings of the Guru on how to live a righteous life and make the world a beautiful place to be in.
The ‘nagar kirtan’ or a procession is taken out in celebration of the festival. The procession usually comprises of the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of the Sikhs) carried on a float and a group of people singing ‘kyaar’ (devotional hymns). Drummers and other musicians also accompany the procession, making it a lively and joyous affair.
The procession is also accompanied by community celebrations such as communal feasts, dancing, ‘gidda’ (a popular dance in Punjab) and several others. ‘Bhangra’ and ‘Gatka’ (martial arts demonstration) performances add to the festive atmosphere. In some places, even the Langar (free community meal) is served in the gurudwaras
How can you celebrate Baisakhi?
The festival of Baisakhi is celebrated in many different ways by different people. However, the most common way to celebrate Baisakhi is by joining a Nagar Kirtan, a procession that features a float carrying the Guru Granth Sahib and a group of people singing Kyaar (devotional hymns). Drummers and other musicians also accompany the procession.
The celebrations usually also involve communal feasts, performances of Bhangra and Gatka (martial arts demonstration), and Gidda (a popular dance in Punjab). Many places hold Langars or free community meals to mark the day and everybody is welcome to be part of it.
In modern times, many people practice Baisakhi virtually. For instance, there can be virtual Kirtan gatherings where people come together to sing prayers, or virtual Langars where people share food online. Additionally, many people instruct and share their Bhangra moves in tutorials to celebrate the day. Finally, people can also observe the various rituals and customs virtually, including taking part in prayers and festivities on video calls.
Conclusion
Baisakhi is an important aspect of the Punjabi culture and is celebrated with great pomp and joy every year. It not only marks the New Year in Punjab, but also celebrates the harvesting of crops and the beginning of the new season. People share food, sing songs and dance on this day, making it an extremely vibrant event.
Furthermore, over the years, Baisakhi has moved from being a traditional festival to one that is celebrated both in physical and virtual forms. People have come up with innovative ways of celebrating Baisakhi, such as virtual Kirtans, Langars and tutorials for Bhangra, which allow people to enjoy the festivities without being physically present in the same place.
As such, Baisakhi is a perfect opportunity to celebrate together, share food and dance, while also embracing and adapting to new ways of celebrating festivals.
Wish you all a happy and joyous Baisakhi,2023!
