Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) 2020: Vaisakhi, also spelt Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on April 13 or 14. It also commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born as a collective faith. This year, it will be celebrated on 13, April 2020.
Events that depict the true culture of Punjab are organised. Traditional folk dance or Bhangra, essentially a harvest festival dance, is quite common in these cultural events. People flock to local fairs that form an integral part of the Punjabi culture.
In other parts of India, Hindus celebrate the day as the beginning of the new year. People take a dip in the holy Ganges and other holy rivers before starting the day. Dressing up in traditional attire, indulging in local delicacies, and visiting friends’ and relatives’ houses are quite common. Vaisakhi is also considered as an auspicious day to start a new venture.
Vaisakhi is celebrated across India, albeit the names being different in different states. The festival is seen as a symbol of prosperity for all.
Sikhs wake up early in the morning, take a bath, wear new dresses and make a visit to the nearest gurudwara to submit special prayers. After the common prayer, Kada prasad shall be distributed to everyone present there. After that, they enjoy langa to be served by volunteers. The festival is also celebrated in schools, colleges and fields. Several events shall be conducted by schools on the day. Gurudwaras are the best places that hold the real beauty of Vaisakhi. They are completely decorated and conduct Kirtanas to attract many people. The same celebrations are expected during Vaisakhi 2020.
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| Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) 2020 | Festivals of Hindustan |
Vaisakhi is a long-established harvest festival in Punjab. It had been celebrated long before it gained an added dimension for Sikhs.
In 1699 the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, chose Vaisakhi as the occasion to transform the Sikhs into a family of soldier saints, known as the Khalsa Panth.
Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in front of thousands at Anandpur Sahib.
During the Vaisakhi festival, Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword. He challenged any Sikh who was prepared to give his life to come into the tent. The Guru returned alone with his sword covered in blood. He then requested another volunteer and repeated the same action four times until five men disappeared into the tent. The crowd was very concerned until they saw five men return wearing turbans with the Guru.
These five men became known as the Panj Piare, or 'Beloved Five'.
The men were then baptised into the Khalsa by the Guru. He sprinkled them with Amrit ('immortalising nectar': the Sikh term for holy water) and said prayers. This is the basis of the Sikh baptism ceremony.
In 1699 the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, chose Vaisakhi as the occasion to transform the Sikhs into a family of soldier saints, known as the Khalsa Panth.
Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in front of thousands at Anandpur Sahib.
During the Vaisakhi festival, Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword. He challenged any Sikh who was prepared to give his life to come into the tent. The Guru returned alone with his sword covered in blood. He then requested another volunteer and repeated the same action four times until five men disappeared into the tent. The crowd was very concerned until they saw five men return wearing turbans with the Guru.
These five men became known as the Panj Piare, or 'Beloved Five'.
The men were then baptised into the Khalsa by the Guru. He sprinkled them with Amrit ('immortalising nectar': the Sikh term for holy water) and said prayers. This is the basis of the Sikh baptism ceremony.
How Vaisakhi Is Celebrated In India
Gurdwaras are decorated with lights of various colours while the Sikhs organise “Nagar Kirtan”—a procession led by five Khalsa. The procession is marked by people singing hymns from the Sikh texts. Some of the bigger processions keep a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib as a show of respect.Events that depict the true culture of Punjab are organised. Traditional folk dance or Bhangra, essentially a harvest festival dance, is quite common in these cultural events. People flock to local fairs that form an integral part of the Punjabi culture.
In other parts of India, Hindus celebrate the day as the beginning of the new year. People take a dip in the holy Ganges and other holy rivers before starting the day. Dressing up in traditional attire, indulging in local delicacies, and visiting friends’ and relatives’ houses are quite common. Vaisakhi is also considered as an auspicious day to start a new venture.
Vaisakhi is celebrated across India, albeit the names being different in different states. The festival is seen as a symbol of prosperity for all.
Vaisakhi 2020 Celebrations
People dance, sing and wear new clothes to celebrate the festival. They enjoy watching parades that shall take place during this time. Both men and women dance. Men perform the Bangra form whereas women perform the Gidda form to celebrate the event. People prepare holiday meals and sweets and share among themselves. It has been a special day for Sikhs, who carry processions and celebrate the day with great fanaticism. Vaisakhi is grandly celebrated in Haryana and Punjab, the northern states of India.Sikhs wake up early in the morning, take a bath, wear new dresses and make a visit to the nearest gurudwara to submit special prayers. After the common prayer, Kada prasad shall be distributed to everyone present there. After that, they enjoy langa to be served by volunteers. The festival is also celebrated in schools, colleges and fields. Several events shall be conducted by schools on the day. Gurudwaras are the best places that hold the real beauty of Vaisakhi. They are completely decorated and conduct Kirtanas to attract many people. The same celebrations are expected during Vaisakhi 2020.
Rituals Of Vaisakhi 2020
Gurudwaras shall be visited by Sikhs in the morning to participate in common prayer. The Granth Sahib shall be bathed in milk. Sweets shall be distributed to attendees. The Granth Sahib shall be taken out parades by Sikhs during the afternoon hours. These are the common rituals of Vaisakhi 2020. The symbols of the festival include the Kirpan, which is a sword; the Kesh, which is uncut hair; the Kara, which is steel ring; the Kangha, which is the comb; and the Katcher.Public life On Baisakhi
Baisakhi is a very precious day for Sikhs. It is the celebration of the ‘New Year’ according to the Nanakshahi calendar. On the festival day, schools and colleges shall remain closed. The commercial outlets owned by Sikhs shall also remain closed or they can have reduced operating hours. The festival has no effect on public transport. Owing to festival events, the schedule for public transport may be disturbed.Best Places To Celebrate Vaisakhi 2020
- Amritsar: If you are in search of the best place to celebrate Vaisakhi 2020, consider visiting the city of Amritsar. In fact, it is visited by thousands of Sikhs every year. Golden Temple of the city is the place where the basis of Khalsa was laid by Guru Gobind Singh, who was the tenth Sikh guru. Visitors perform special prayers on the day.
- Delhi: Delhi, the capital city of India, hosts various events to celebrate the day. It is also visited by many people from all parts of the country. People gather at gurudwaras to perform special prayers and exchange festival greetings. Delhi also organises Vaisakhi parties. Consider this place as well.
- Punjab: If you want to see the real celebrations, consider visiting Punjab during Vaisakhi 2020. Like Delhi, the state organises dance and singing concerts. The festival meals are being served by restaurants. One must visit the state.
- Haryana: Haryana conducts a vast mela each year. Many people visit this state to take part in Vaisakhi mela, which is very famous. Besides, several competitions are organised for school kids. In the evening, singing and dance competitions are organised for adults.
- Chandigarh: Chandigarh is one of the most visited destinations during this festival. Tourists visit gurudwaras of the city and pray to God. Like Haryana, they can enjoy singing and dance concerts in the evening.
- Jalandhar: The city of Jalandhar celebrates Vaisakhi attractively. The main festivities include dancing, singing, etc. Both men and women perform folk dances. It is a treat to watch.
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