Lifestyle

Baisakhi 2018: Date, History and Significance

Baisakhi 2018: Date, History and Significance

Baisakhi is also known as Vaishakhi, or Vaisakhi which is one of the major festivals of Punjab. It is mainly celebrated in the Northern part of India including Punjab and Haryana. Every year this festival falls on April 14 and is rejoiced with pomp and zeal. This festival is important to both Sikhs and Punjabis. Baisakhi festival also has cosmic significance as this day marks the sun’s entry into Mesh Rashi. This festival is also observed as a spring harvest festival for the Sikhs. This festival is celebrated with different names in major parts of the country.

The history of Baisakhi is different for various religions. According to Hindu people, Goddess Ganga descended on Earth on this day. People usually take bath in the Ganga river to remove the sins. This day is of great significance to the Hindu culture. Sikhs also have different historical significance in this that Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb beheaded the ninth Sikh Guru i.e. Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1699. He was beheaded as he refused to convert to Islam. The tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh gave a unique identity to his followers by establishing the Khalsa Panth.

People celebrate this day by participating in kirtans and they carry out colourful processions. Farmers also celebrate this day as a thanksgiving day for the adequate harvest by performing Aawat Pauni, in which they come together to harvest the wheat and they sing and dance during this festival for showing joy and pleasure. This festival marks the beginning of a New Year. This is a long established harvest festival in Punjab. Guru Gobind Singh directed Sikhs to wear five K’s i.e. Kesh or long hair, Kangha or comb, Kripan or dagger, Kachha or shorts and a Kara or bracelet on this day. This day is also celebrated as a Gurupurab.

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Mrinalini Mahajan

where many thoughts cross mind everyday, a thought of becoming a writer hit hard and made me a blogger. I am a cheerful girl that contributes a lot of happiness to my own happy world.

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