Baisakhi and the founding of the Khalsa
Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi, is the festival which celebrates Sikh New Year and the founding of the Sikh community in 1699, known as the KhalsaThe Sikh community, literally 'the community of the pure'. Refers particularly to initiated Sikhs.. It is celebrated on 13 or 14 April and began as a harvestWhen crops are collected from the fields. festival in the PunjabPunjab meaning before it became the Sikhs' most important festival.
In 1699, Sikhs from all over the Punjab gathered together to celebrate the local harvest festival. Guru Gobind RaiGuru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru was named Gobind Rai at birth. came out of a tent carrying a sword and requested that anyone who was prepared to give up their life for their religion come forward.
A young Sikh came forward and disappeared into the tent with the GuruCan mean God, teacher or guide. Usually means a teacher of religion. In Sikhism, it also refers to the ten human messengers of God.. Then the Guru reappeared alone with his sword covered in blood and asked for another volunteer. This happened another four times until a total of five Sikhs had gone into the tent with him.
Eventually all five emerged from the tent alive and wearing turbanHeadwear consisting of a length of cloth wound around the head., along with the panj kakke, or The Five KsFive symbols of the Sikh community, worn by most Sikhs still today.. These five men became known as the Panj Piare meaning 'Five Beloved Ones'.
Amrit Sanskar, the rite of initiation into the Khalsa, often occurs on Baisakhi, very early in the morning. Amrit Sanskar involves five men, Panj Piare, initiating candidates with sweetened water (amrit) and the candidates commit themselves to observing a daily discipline.
For 48 hours, ending on the morning of Baisakhi, there is an akhand path, a continuous reading of the whole of the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru.. At Baisakhi, the Nishan SahibSikh triangular flag. is replaced with a new flag and there is a procession of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs remember the unity, courage and strength of the Sikhs in 1699 and also the meaning of the Khalsa.
Sikhs often play team sports at Baisakhi as a reminder of these qualities. There may also be bhangra dancingA form of dance and music that came from the Punjab region., fairs and exhibitions.
This festival holds importance for Sikhs today as it reminds them of the birth of the Khalsa and the significance of joining the Khalsa in the Sikh community.