BAISAKHI

The most vibrant festival of Punjab, Baisakhi is celebrated with equal zest by people of all faiths and religions, as the harvest festival to thank God for a bountiful Rabi crop. In Assam and West Bengal, it is the time to rejoice the commencement of New Year as they wish everyone 'Shubho Naba Barsha' or 'Happy New Year'. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is called Puthandu while in Kerala, it is celebrated as Vishu. In Bihar, people call it the festival of Vaishakh while the Jains celebrate it as the auspicious day on which Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana or enlightment.

TIME AND DURATION:

Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the Vaisakh month, which falls on the 13th of April every year and on the 14th of April after every 35 years.

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE:

The festival marks the birth of Khalsa Panth in the year 1699, when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, son of Guru Teg Bahadur, formed the Khalsa, a unique identity bestowed upon people who were read to come together and bravely fight against oppression and wrong deeds, in a meeting in Anandpur. The five men, belonging to different occupations and castes, who courageously stood out to sacrifice their lives were bestowed the title of Panj Pyaare or the 'Beloved Five', and were considered to b e the first among the Khalsas. This created elimination of any differences among people following Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh ji gave the Panj Pyaras, a sweet nector, and bestowed the title 'Singh' to them, signifying strength and courage, the traits of a lion. The day marked the discontinuity of the Guru lineage and commencement of worshiping the sacred book 'Guru Granth Sahib' as a guide to the right path.

Baisakhi is also celebrated as the birth of Arya Samaj in the year 1875, a Hindu sect that disapproved worshiping of idols and believed in following the holy Vedas as their eternal guide to righteousness.

The day holds special importance for the Buddhists too, as it marks the attainment of Nirvana by the founder of the religion, Gautam Buddha, in Gaya, Bihar.

RITUALS:

In Punjab, Baisakhi has both religious as well as cultural significance. People get up early in the morning, dress up in colorful attires and visit the nearby Gurudwara to attend the morning prayer session or Ardasa. They thank the Almighty for a good harvest season and pray for the next year too, after which they receive the Kara Prasad, followed by Guru ka Langar.

A special Baisakhi procession is taken out with the Panj Piaras leading the way. Men and Women sing devotional songs in the honor of the Lord along with Bhangra and Gidda performances, which add to the festivity.

The farming community of Punjab springs to life, amidst the lush green yields. Men and women get ready in traditional robes, men sport colorful lungis, jackets and turbans while women wear colorful kurta, payjama and chunnis. They perform bhangra and gidda to foot tapping Punjabi numbers, shouting 'Jatta aai Baisakhi', to express their joy and thankfulness to God for the good harvest season.

In Assam, the festival is called Rongali Bihu, the time of sowing the paddy seeds. On this day people wear vibrant clothes, greet their relatives and neighbors and exchange sweets. Bihu melas are organized and people get engaged in merry making, dancing to the beats of dhol and relishing traditional delicacies.

In Bengal, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on the Bengali New Year to bring in wealth and prosperity to their homes. People get busy in cleaning up their houses and decorating it with new furniture and accessories with an unmatched zeal. Womenfolk prepare rangolis or alpana in front of their houses, with a kalash or earthen pot in the centre, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Prabhat Pheris or processions are carried out in the morning followed by many cultural activities. People get together and enjoy lavish meals and entertainment programs, enjoying the day to the hilt. It is considered the most auspicious day to start a new business or venture.

In Bihar, the festival of Vaishakh is celebrated. People offer prayers to the Sun God and take a holy dip in river Ganga.

In Kerala, the day marks the Malayali New Year, which is celebrated by conducting collective prayers, wearing new clothes, bursting crackers and relishing delicacies consisting of equal quantities of bitter, sour, salty and sweet items. These preparations mostly consist of seasonal vegetables, especially pumpkins, guard and jack fruits. Songs and dances are an integral part of Vishu celebrations.

By whatever name people celebrate it, one can find excitement and festivity all over the country, as people come together to rejoice and share their happiness, according to their culture and traditions.