By Dr AK Srivastava
“Let us pray that Waheguru bestows his blessings upon you and your family this Baisakhi and grants your every wish. May the pleasure of the season bring you endless happiness.”
Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is one of the most prominent, popular and joyous festivals of Sikhs with spiritual, cultural and social significance. It is celebrated in the month of Vaisakh when the Rabi crop is harvested. It also signifies the beginning of the Solar year. It is also known by the names of Baisaki, Vaisakh Jayanti, Mesadi and Basoa in different parts of India. Every year it is celebrated on 13th or 14th of April.
In the Sikh religion, Vaisakhi has a special significance as it is associated with the beginning of the “Khalsa” (pure) which was created by the tenth Guru Govind Singh to fight against oppressive and foreign forces that were causing havoc on the common people. In 1699, Guru Govind Singh called a religious and social congregation in Kesgarh at Anandpur. He invited five young volunteers who would sacrifice their lives for the sake of religious and social causes. One by one five young and brave enthusiasts volunteered to sacrifice their lives on his “Hukumnama”. In fact, Guru ji only wanted to test the magnitude and sincerity of these young men. He had no intention of putting them in harm’s way. These five young men were called the “Five Beloved Ones” or “Panj Pyare”. They were given holy water “Amrit” to drink and sugar crystals to eat. Guru Govind Singh asked them to take a pledge to fight for social and religious justice. The names of these brave volunteers are Bhai Dhan Das, Bhai Mokham Chand, Bhai Sahib Chand, Bhai Himmat Rai and Bhai Dharam Singh.
Guru Govind Singh asked these five saint-soldiers to keep Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kachera (cotton underwear) and Kripan. The boys were asked to add “Singh” (lion) and girls were to add “Kaur” (princess) with their names. All these things were made compulsory to uphold the religious chastity and identity.
Vaisakhi is celebrated annually with full religious fervour and it is time for renewal and rededication to the principles and ideology of the Gurus who established this faith.
This festival of Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is celebrated by both Hindu and Sikh communities all over the entire country especially in Punjab and Haryana where the Sikh community has a good strength. Bhajan, Kirtan, Nagar Parikrama, social service, langar and singing and dancing are part and parcel of this celebration. The followers of Sikhism visit the Gurudwara and raise the Nishan Sahib flag. They also take religious baths in the Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri or Jhelum rivers.
The Sikh Community is a very hard working and vibrant force and it has spread all over the world because of their assiduousness and a deep sense of service to mankind. Hence, Vaisakhi is now celebrated all over the world. We can find the celebration of this unique festival in Canada, America and many western countries.
Vaisakhi is the day when the cruel British army officer Gen Reginald Dyer ordered his army to fire and kill hundreds of freedom fighters who were protesting against the British Empire in India. This incident is remembered as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
In conclusion Vaisakhi is a festival of expressing gratitude to mother earth for giving us new crops every year. It is a time of hope, new beginning and plenty of happiness. On this harvest festival, may Waheguru bestow upon you plenty, prosperity, health, and tranquillity.
(Dr AK Srivastava is ex-Principal, DAV Intermediate College, Dehradun.)
