Essay on Vaisakhi festival celebration
Essay on Vaisakhi :- Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is an important festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus around the world. This festival is celebrated every year in the month of April and marks the beginning of the new year according to the Sikh calendar. It is a joyous occasion that commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth, the order of the pure ones, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
Meaning of Baisakhi – Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a festival celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus in India and other parts of the world. The word “Baisakhi” is derived from the month of Vaisakh, which is the second month of the Nanakshahi calendar, the calendar used by the Sikhs. Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of Vaishakh, which falls on 13 or 14 April every year depending on the Nanakshahi calendar. The word “Baisakhi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Vaisakh”, which refers to the month of April–May in the Hindu calendar.
The origins of Vaisakhi can be traced back to ancient India when farmers celebrated the harvest season during this time of year. Apart from being an agricultural festival, Vaisakhi has a religious significance for the Sikh community. On this day in 1699, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, started the Khalsa Panth.
The Khalsa Panth is a community of Sikhs who have taken a sacred oath to uphold the values of Sikhism and lead a life of piety and righteousness. On this day, Guru Gobind Singh called upon his followers to come forward and dedicate their lives for the cause of righteousness. Five brave Sikhs, known as the Panj Pyare, or the Five Beloved Ones, responded to his call and were baptized in a ceremony that came to be known as Amrit Sanskar.
Since then, Vaisakhi has become a day of utmost importance for the Sikh community. Sikhs around the world celebrate this day by attending special religious services in Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), performing kirtan (devotional singing) and participating in processions known as Nagar Kirtan.
The Nagar Kirtan is a spectacular sight to behold, with thousands of Sikhs dressed in traditional attire, singing hymns and carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, on beautifully decorated floats. The procession is accompanied by musicians to the sounds of dhols, traditional Punjabi drums, and nagadons, traditional Sikh kettle drums.
Apart from religious significance, Vaisakhi is also a time of feast and celebration. Sikhs prepare special meals such as langar, a communal meal served in gurdwaras, and kada prasad, a sweet pudding made from semolina, sugar and clarified butter. Apart from this, people participate in cultural programs, fairs and other festivities.
Vaisakhi is a festival that celebrates the Sikh New Year and the formation of the Khalsa Panth. It is a time for Sikhs to reflect on their commitment to their faith and recommit themselves to living a life of piety and righteousness. The festival is also an occasion for feasting and celebration, with people coming together to share food, music and cultural traditions. Vaisakhi is an important part of Sikh culture and a reminder of the values that lie at the heart of Sikhism.
Vaisakhi holds immense significance not only for the Sikh community but also for the Hindu community, especially in the northern regions of India. For Hindus, Vaisakhi marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour. In Punjab, celebrations include folk dances such as Bhangra and Gidda, which are performed to the beat of drums.
The festival also marks the end of the solar year and the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. People take a dip in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna and Kaveri to wash away their sins and seek blessings for the coming year.
Apart from its religious and cultural significance, Vaisakhi is also a time for social and community service. Sikhs around the world participate in Seva, or selfless service, by preparing and serving free food to the needy and organizing blood donation camps and health check-up camps.
In recent years, Vaisakhi has gained a global significance, with celebrations taking place in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, which have significant Sikh communities. The festival has become an opportunity for Sikhs to showcase their rich cultural heritage and to promote understanding and tolerance among different communities.
Finally, Vaisakhi is a festival that celebrates the Sikh New Year, the formation of the Khalsa Panth, and the beginning of the harvest season. It is an occasion for religious and cultural celebrations as well as social and community service. Vaisakhi holds immense significance for Sikhs and Hindus around the world and is a reminder of the values of compassion, selflessness and service that are at the heart of these religions.
Quick links :-
i. Essay on Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 13 April 1919
ii. Essay – Issues related Hunger and Poverty in India
iii. Judicial Review of Constitutional Amendments in India: keypoints
iv. Important Amendments of Indian Constitution
Social sharing ⬇️