Baisakhi 2023: When is Baisakhi? Know the history, importance of this special day celebrated as Sikh New Year
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Baisakhi 2023: Baisakhi is also known as ‘Vaisakhi’ or ‘Basoa’ and is usually celebrated on the first day of the month of Vaishakh. Baisakhi is mainly celebrated in northern India, marking the beginning of the spring harvest season. According to Drik Panchang, on April 14, when Baisakhi will be celebrated across the country, Vaisakhi Sankranti is expected to occur at 03:12 pm on the same day.
Baisakhi marks the formation of the Khalsa
Even though Baisakhi is celebrated all over the country, it is mainly celebrated by the Sikhs of Punjab. It marks the formation of the Khalsa which took place on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699 and was established by the tenth and last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. On this day, Guru Gobind Singh abolished all distinctions between castes and declared all human beings equal. The Guru Granth Sahib has been declared the eternal guide and the holy book of Sikhism, according to the Drik Panchang.
Baisakhi is celebrated as the Sikh New Year
Baisakhi is also celebrated as Sikh New Year or Punjabi New Year. It is also considered as the Solar New Year for Hindus based on the Hindu Solar Calendar. It is also called Vaisakhi. Special prayers are organized in Gurudwaras. Baisakhi is mainly celebrated by Hindus in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. In West Bengal, it is celebrated as “Naba Barsha” or Bengali New Year.
In Baisakhi people dance around the crop to the beat of drums
Since Baisakhi is also a harvest festival and marks the time of harvesting of Rabi crops, farmers gather in their fields with their families and celebrate it by dancing around the crop to the beat of drums. Baisakhi or Vaishakhi, a Sanskrit word, means a month of the Hindu lunar year corresponding to April–May, which is considered as the beginning of the new year in some states.
Regional Baisakhi Festival
Astrologically, Baisakhi is significant as it begins with Mesha Sankranti, which coincides with several regional festivals such as Pan Sankranti in Odisha, Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal, Bohag Bihu in Assam and Manipur, Vishu in Kerala and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu. eats. It is celebrated as Pana Sankranti in Odisha, where devotees worship Lord Shiva, Hanuman or Goddess Shakti. They bathe in holy rivers during pilgrimage. There are social festivities and a special drink called “Panna” prepared from mango pulp is consumed by the people on this special day.
Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal
In West Bengal it is called Pohela Boishakh. On this day devotees thank the divine powers for a good harvest in the current year and pray and invoke God for more abundance in the coming year. People decorate the courtyard of their houses with colorful ‘rangoli’ made of rice and water paste called ‘alpona’. Along with Bengal, it is also celebrated in some parts of Tripura state. It is called Bohag Bihu in Assam, and is celebrated three times a year to reflect the different cycles of farming. People prepare dishes like mangsho, chira and pitha to mark the occasion. In Kerala ‘Vishu’ marks the beginning of the Malayalam New Year. People celebrate by lighting ‘diyas’ and bursting crackers. Puthundu or the Tamil New Year also falls on this day and people offer cash, gold and silver ornaments along with betel nuts and fruits to the God the night before this auspicious day. It is believed that following these rituals brings prosperity and happiness for the rest of the year.
Baisakhi Rituals and Celebrations
Devotees wake up early on the day of Baisakhi, wear new clothes after a bath and assemble at beautifully decorated gurudwaras to offer special prayers. After the prayer, a special sweet called “Kada Prasad” is distributed to all the people gathered there. This dish is prepared using pure ghee, sugar and wheat flour to be offered as Prasad. A ‘langar’ is organized around noon, where people of all classes, rich or poor, are served food collectively prepared by the devotees free of cost. Young men and women perform traditional dances like ‘Bhangra’ and ‘Gidda’. Different types of dishes are made including Makki Di Roti, Sarson Ka Saag, Paneer Tikka, Potato Vegetable, Puri, Vegetable Pakora.
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