There are various legends associated with the colourful and vibrant festival of Baisakhi. A study of these interesting legends of Baisakhi reveal that the day of Baisakhi is significant not just for Sikhs, but also for Hindus and Buddhists alike. Besides, it is joyous to note that as a harvest festival, people of all communities in Punjab celebrate Baisakhi in a harmonious manner.
The Baisakhi Festival marks the time for the harvest of Rabi crops and is therefore celebrated with utmost joy and enthusiasm in the state of Punjab where agriculture is the predominant occupation of the people.
To celebrate the occasion, people dress themselves gaily and perform the joyful bhangra and giddha dance on the tune of the dhol. Farmers in Punjab celebrate the Baisakhi Festival to the hilt by feasting and merrymaking before they hit on the tiring, but joyful task of harvesting from the next day.
As a harvest festival, Baisakhi is also celebrated by different names and with different rituals in several regions of India.
The birth of Khalsa
The day of Baisakhi marks the birth of Khalsa Panth and therefore holds tremendous significance for the Sikhs. As it was on a Baisakhi Day, in the year 1699 that the Tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh founded Khalsa Panth or the Order of Pure Ones and gave a unique identity to Sikhs. On the same day the guru administered amrit (nectar) to his first batch of five disciples making them Singhs, a martial community. By doing so, he eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings were equal.
The Guru also gave his new Khalsa a unique, indisputable, and distinct identity. The Guru gave the gift of bana, the distinctive Sikh clothing and headwear.
He also offered five emblems of purity and courage. These symbols, worn by all baptized Sikhs of both sexes, are popularly known today as the Five Ks:
Kesh, unshorn hair - Sikh identity;Kangha, the wooden comb - cleanliness/purityKarra, the iron (or steel) bracelet - eternal/temporal significance;Kirpan, the sword - for self degence/defenders of the innocent;Kachha, the underwear - to remind of high morals.Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi by participating in special prayer meetings organized at gurdwaras.The Squamish Sikh temple is also celebrating Baisakhi this weekend.Happy Baisakhi to everyone.
