India is a land of many states of varied culture and traditions. Each state has a prominent festival to celebrate in particular other known as Harvest festival in general. Baisakhi is the festival most popularly celebrated in the vibrant state of Punjab to mark the arrival of the harvesting season. It is a north Indian festival and it falls on April 13th every year which is the beginning of the solar year. Farmers are very happy because the whole year’s hard work is rewarded with a bumper crop so they celebrate Baisakhi with great pomp and show as a thanks giving day. Most of the farmers celebrate in their fields by dancing and singing.
The other main significance of Baisakhi is the Foundation Day of Khalsa Panth by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh which is of prime importance in Sikhism. Sikhs participate in special prayers held in Gurudwaras and some of them go for a joyous procession with faith and enthusiasm to mark the day. Religious songs known as Kirtans are sung on this day in the Gurudwaras. At noon time, after the ardas is over, sweetened semolina known as Karah Prasad is offered to the Gurus and then distributed to the congregation. This festival culminates with a special community lunch known as Guru Ka langar wherein the congregation sits together with their heads covered and the food is served by the volunteers.
As per astrological calculations it falls on April 13th every year but once in 36 years it falls on April 14th. It marks the sun’s entry into Mesh Rashi. So Baisakhi is otherwise known as Mesha Sankranthi. This same festival is celebrated in different states of India by different names like Rongali in Assam, Pooram Vishu in Kerela, Vaishakha in Bihar, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, and Naba Barsha in Bengal etc.
Baisakhi has got significant relevance for Hindus as well as the Buddists. Gautama Buddha attained enlightment and Nirvana on this great day. Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded Arya Samaj who gave more importance to the Vedas for spiritual guidance without idol worship.
Punjab is a place where agriculture is the predominant occupation of the people. They celebrate by performing the famous dance of Punjab called the Gidda and Bhangra dance with the singing of the rhythmic tunes accompanied by the dhol. Performance of the folk instruments like Vanjli and algoza are quite famous. The scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of the crops are demonstrated with graceful movements of the body. Baisakhi Fairs are quite popular and people enjoy the same thoroughly on that day. They exchange Baisakhi cards to strengthen their relationship and also to build everlasting bonds. Baisakhi e cards are sent to all the near and dear ones all over the world.
Thanks giving festivals like successful harvest is a great achievement. God has given the abundance of crops, so harvest festivals should be celebrated joyfully and at the same time a portion of your crop must be distributed to the poor people around your place who are below the poverty line. Punjabis believe in giving and probably that is why this state is blessed naturally and is a very rich and prosperous state.
See Also
Baisakhi, Dussehra , Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Krishna Jayanthi