Baisakhi Da Matlab

Yes, Paaji is back again. And just to clarify that I had not gone on a self exile on any sort. This long break only proves that I hardly get any time from my hectic work life to write some thing good for my friend.

But no occasion proved to be more good that Baisakhi. So let me tell you some facts and stories connected with this occasion which is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals for Sikhs. For it was on this day in the year 1699 when tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji formed the Khalsa, and organized the order of the Khalsa. In a gathering near Keshgarh Sahib in Punjab, he called for five volunteers, one after the other, to sacrifice their lives for his faith. The five volunteers came forward and were taken in a tent by the Guru, with a naked sword in his hands. His blood soaked sword made the gathering believe that he had killed the five volunteers.

However, he soon came out of the ten t with the five volunteers alive, and called them his Panj Pyara’s (the beloved five). The Guru then put some water in a bowl and stirred it with a small steel sword symbolizing strength. Mata Sundri, the Guru’s wife put in some sugar to symbolize that strength must be balaned with sweetness of temperament as well. After completing the prayers, the Guru then sprinkled the water over the Panj Pyara’s. He declared them to be the first five members of the new community called Khalsa meaning “pure”. Even today, people get baptized through the same process of taking the holy amrit of the Guru and becoming a member of the sacred community of Khalsa.

Sikhs visit the gurudwara’s, go for the morning prayers and attend the processions to celebrate this holy day, thereby seeking the blessings of the God to lead a simple and devoted life.

This day also marks the start of the New Year as per the Nanakshahi calendar, which is mainly followed in North India, particularly in Punjab and Haryana. This day also symbolizes the harvesting time of a rabi crop in North India, and marks the time for some relaxation and joy. It is also celebrated by the traditional Bhangra dance by men folks and Gidda by women to celebrate the finish of one agricultural cycle, and the start of the other. People generally wear new clothes and wear traditional jewellery and attend the social gatherings near river banks. Many myths and legends are also attached to this festival.

And how can we forget the special food items of any festival. This is marked by the ever green Makke di roti and Sarson da Saag, with the traditional kheer and Til Gajak.

In the end I would like to wish all of you a very Happy Baisakhi. May God bring happiness and prosperity in our lives and make us lead a devoted and simple life.

Happy Baisakhi.

[* Pictures taken from Raminder pal Singh's Flickr]