Baisakhi - The Birth Of Khalsa

Baisakhi ( also Vaisakhi ), to Sikhs marks the birth of the Khalsa and to others, the Punjabi and Nepali New Year and the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab, India and Nepal.

Baisakhi falls in the Nanakshahi calendar on the first day of Vaisakh month and marks the sun entering Mesha Rasi (this occurrence is called Mesha Sankranti). Vaisakhi is therefore determined by the solar calendar. Baisakhi usually falls on April 13, and on April 14 once every thirty-six years, however it has now been agreed for Vaisakhi to always fall on the 14th of April.

Baisakhi ( Vaisakhi ) in Sikhism
Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs founded the Khalsa (Community of the Pure) at the baisakhi gathering in 1699, at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur. Guru Gobind Singh, had arranged for followers from all over India to meet him at the basakhi Fair in Anandpur.

The Guru ji asked for a man to step forward who was willing to die for his religion. The crowd thought he was crazy but one man came forward, he entered the Guru's tent, then the Guru came out of the tent - his sword stained with blood. One by one the guru chose four more men to come forward, and one by after another they entered and the Guru emerged alone with his blood stained sword. The crowd was nervous, and mysteriously there was no screaming at all. The five men came before the people, dressed in robes like the Guru, alive and well!

The Guru ji put water in a bowl for sprinkling over the five in a simple initiation ceremony. He said prayers as he stirred the water with a short steel sword; symbolising the need for strength. The Guru's wife, Mata Sundri, then came forward and placed some sugar crystals into the holy water or amrit as a reminder that strength must always be balanced by sweetness of temperament. After completing his prayers, the Guru then sprinkled the amrit over the five.

He declared them to be the first members of a new community of equals, to be called the Khalsa, meaning "pure". These "saint soldiers" were to dedicate their lives to the service of others and the pursuit of justice for people of all faiths. The Panj Pyare were asked to wear five distinctive symbols of their new identity, The Five Ks.

In a move to end social divisions the Panj Pyare's surnames were removed by the Guru, mainly because surnames were associated with one's caste - the Guru then gave them (and all Sikh men) the name Singh, meaning "lion", a reminder of the need for courage. At the same time, the Guru gave all Sikh women the name or title Kaur, meaning "princess", to emphasize dignity and complete equality. The Guru then knelt before the five and asked them to initiate him. Hence, the Khalsa became a community in which master and disciple were equal.

For Sikhs, this seasonal festival also has great importance as the founding of the Akal Khalsa (Soldiers of the Timeless One) at Anandpur Sahib. The Akal Khalsa played an important role in resistance against Mughal rule. For many centuries after that, the first male child of many Hindu families in Punjab was ordained as a Sikh in order for him to train and become a warrior and fight for the people. Other male children used to take care of the family, parents and the land.

The Harvest Season - Baisakhi
Baisakhi marks the arrival of the harvesting season. The festival always falls on April 14 and marks the beginning of the solar year. Just before the festival the farmer returns home with his bumper crop, the fruit of his whole year's hard labour.

This festival is in celebration to thank God for good harvest for the year and coming year also. Early morning of Baiskhai, people take dip in holy rivers. Cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi" rent the skies as the people of Punjab attired in their best clothes break into the Bhangra dance to express their joy.

The dancers and drummers challenge each other to continue the dance. The scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops are expressed through zestful movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads. Both men and women, celebrate the day with Bhangra and Gidda.

Fairs are organized at various places in Punjab, where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held. The occasion is celebrated with great gusto at Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nine months and completed the recompilation of the Guru Granth Sahib.