Baisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaishakh. It is
actually the beginning of the Hindu New Year in the northern parts of the India.
The festival of Baisakhi marks the time to reap the harvest and everyone is thankful to
God for a good and bountiful harvest of the winter or rabi crop.
This festival also marks the anniversary of Khalsa, which was founded by Guru Gobind
Singh. It was on this day many years ago that the great Guru chose his devoted five
leaders or Panj Pyare and established the five K's of the Sikhs or to speak more simply
the kacha(shorts), kesh(long hair), kargha(small comb), kirpan(dagger) and kada(iron
bangle).
On this day, early in the morning after having a bath the Sikhs visit the Gurdwara to
offer mithai and thaar(charity) as thanksgiving for their good fortune in the harvest. The
holy scriptures are read from the Guru Granth Sahib and a procession follows these
ceremonial activities.
There is a great feast and everyone makes merry at the Mela which is held on account of
Baisakhi on this day. At the mela people of all age come brightly dressed up and sit on
the merry go-rounds and giant wheels. They purchase toys and artifacts and bangles. The
typical north Indian mithai and chaats, sarson ka saag and makai ki roti and delicious
lassi are all prepared on this day.
The men adorn themselves with bright coloured turbans and jackets and long kurtas and
perform the traditional bhangra dance. The women wear their graceful and splendid coloured
lenghas. All the gurdwaras everywhere are beautifully lit and the Golden Temple at
Amritsar looks especially beautiful. The heady beat of the dholaks and boisterous bhangra
usher in an abundant harvest.
