Cultures! Celebrations! Festivals! India is a place where there are more festivals then number of days in a calendar. Here comes another amazing one – Baisakhi – A festival of harvest. Baisakhi is one of most rejoiced festival in Northen part of India. This vibrant festival brings great enthusiasm and gaiety in the people. The festival falls on the 14th day of April – first day of the Vaisakh month and is marked as the New Year in the region of Punjab. According to English calendar, the date of Baisakhi correspond to April 14. Celebrated at the time of harvest of rabi crop, the day holds huge importance to the people of Punjab. They celebrate the day all through by performing joyful folk dance (bhangra and gidda). On the day of the Baisakhi, farmers thank God as for growing the bountiful crop and praying for the good future ahead. People sing and dance around and colorful fairs are organized.
Significance of Baisakhi
Baisakhi holds a great importance in Punjab particularly to the farmers in that region. It is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and anticipation of good fortune. People wake up early in the morning to take a dip in the holy rivers. The day is also celebrated as the birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and the foundation of the Khalsa in 1699. The most fun and exciting part of Baisakhi celebration is that it is celebrated right in the open fields with a lot of lively bhangra and gidda dance (the folk dance of Punjab). People are dressed up in bright and shiny typical Punjabi traditional attire.
Baisakhi is now celebrated worldwide!
Baisakhi primarily a festival of harvest, therefore it is celebrated in other parts of the country as well but with different name. In Bengal the day is celebrated as Naba Barsha, Vishu in Kerala, Tamil Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Sinhalese New Year in Sri Lanka, and Songkran in Thailand. In Hindu mythology it is believed that Goddess Ganga descended to earth on this holy day and many people take ceremonious bath in this sacred River. The fiesta is celebrated in various other parts of the world too with equally high enthusiasm.
Baisakhi Processions
In the Baisakhi Procession, the most sacred scripture Granth Sahib is taken out with honor by traditionally dressed Panj Piaras, (the five senior religious Sikhs). Accompanied by music, singing and chanting of scriptures and hymns, the processions move through the streets of the city. Huge number of devotees participate in the Baisakhi processions. During this processions youngsters and children demonstrate their skills in martial arts swinging swords making the event more colorful. Lot of food and sweet water is distributed, all along the streets throughout the day.
With lots of vibrancy, positive energy and celebration, the day comes to an end but this marks a beginning of new hopes and anticipation in the life of people. Have you ever been a part of such a celebration? Why not to join the gala this year with the people of Punjab? Destino’s India will help you in making your experience a memorable one.