Baisakhi is a significant festival for the Sikh community as this day marks the formation of the ‘Khalsa Panth’. After 9th Sikh guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, was executed for not converting his religion to Islam.
On April 13, 1699, the tenth Sikh Guru (Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji) founded a community which aimed at protecting and betterment of the people. He also established the ‘Khalsa Panth’, giving this community a unique identity.
It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh ended the genealogy of the Gurus. After this, the people who follow Sikhism made Guru Grant Sahib their guide. Also, it was on this day that Sikhs accepted their surnames as ‘Singh’ for male and ‘Kaur’ for female.
Also, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sprinkled holy water on the first five disciples and eliminated the difference between low and high. People wake up early in the morning and visit Temples/Gurudwaras on this special day to express their gratitude towards God.
This day also marks the beginning of a new year for Punjabis. People celebrate Vaisakhi by performing an energetic dance, Bhangra, and Gidda and putting up Baisakhi fairs.
Moreover, Indian farmers also celebrate the festival of Baisakhi in various parts of India. The purpose behind is to thank the spiritual power for the plenteous harvest of the winter crops (Rabi crops) and to seek blessings for the upcoming agricultural season.
All Indians acknowledge this auspicious festival under different names and rituals. People celebrate it as ‘Rongali Bihu‘ in Assam. Also as ‘Naba Barsha‘ in Bengal. Further on as ‘Pooram Vishu‘ in Kerala. Moreover as ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu and lastly as ‘Vaishakha’ in Bihar.
Baisakhi is reckoned according to the solar calendar. Therefore it falls on April 13 every year and on April 14 once in every 36 years. There’s Vishakha constellation in the sky on this day.
Because Vishakha Nakshatra is formed on a full moon day, this month is known as a month of Vaishakh. The first day of this month has been called Vaisakhi.
On this day, the Sun enters into ‘Mesha Rashi’ (Aries horoscope) and Hindus celebrate this day as ‘Mesha Sankranti’. Due to change in the position of the sun. The temperature starts rising after this day and symbolizes the beginning of summers.
You might also like to read about Guru Nanak Jayanti to know more about the festival.
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