Baisakhi a festival of colour and exaltation

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi gala marks both beginning of the harvesting season of the spring (Rabi) crops in Punjab region and New Year day in the solar Nanakshai calendar mostly followed in that area.

The occasion fully reflects the festive mood of the Sikh community who never miss a chance to sing and dance on a quick rhythm.

It was on this day in 1699 that the 10th SikhGuru, Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa at Anandpur and Sikhs were given a clear identity and a code of conduct to live by. Around the world at Baisakhi time, Sikhs and Punjabis reflect on the values taught to them by their Gurus and celebrate the birth of the Khalsa.

This day is also observed as the beginning of the Hindu solar New Year celebrated by the people of Nepal and India in Kerala, Orissa, West Bengal and some other regions of India.

The particular significance attached to the occasion shows regional variation outside Punjab too. In Himachal Pradesh, the Hindu Goddess Jwalamukhi is worshipped on Vaisakhi, while in Bihar; the Sun-god Surya is honoured.

Baisakhi is also widely celebrated by Sikhs in Pakistan’s Punjab with festivities cantered on the Panja Sahib complex in Hassan Abdal, numerous shrines in Nanakana Sahib, and in verious historical sites in Lahore. Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India arrive each year to commemorate the day.

To mark the celebrations, devotees, irrespective of Sikh religion, throng gurdwaras, the Sikh place of worship. The celebrations start early as devotees, with flowers and offerings in their hands, proceed towards the gurdwaras and temples before dawn.
 
On the cultural side, Baisakhi marks a New Year’s time as it is time to harvest ‘rabi’ crop.  Farmers thank God for the bountiful crop and pray for good times ahead. Typical Baisakhi folk songs in Punjabi depict the joy of the farmer who is happy with the bountiful harvest.  In several villages of Punjab, Baisakhi fairs are organized where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held

People buy new clothes and make merry by singing, dancing and enjoying the best of festive food. Cries of ‘Jatta aai Baisakhi’, rent the skies as gaily men and women break into the bhangra and gidda dance to express their joy. ’Bhangra’ and ‘gidda’ accompany Baisakhi songs and adds joy to the merriment.

Everyday farming scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops are expressed through zestful movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads and dhol music. Punjabi folk songs are sung on the Dhol (small drum) beats. Other musical instruments traditionally used in Punjabi music are 'toombi', 'algoza', 'chheka', 'chimta', 'kaanto', 'dhad', 'daphali' and 'manjira'.

They wear bright new dress to mark the occasion. ‘Kurta’ and ‘lungi’ or ‘pajama’ is a typical dress for men in Punjab while women go in for ‘salwar-kamiz’ or ‘lehanga-choli’. Women further adorn themselves with heavy jewellery of various kinds.

Zestful people relish the best of Punjabi cuisine on the joyful festival of Baisakhi