Vaisakhi
Known as 'Khalsa Sirjana Diwas' (the birth of khalsa), Baisakhi today is celebrated not only by Sikhs and Punjabis, but by all communities with equal enthusiasm. Many Punjabis and Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi in their own way. These are different from the rituals of harvest festival practiced in the villages. Celebrated when the Rabi crop ripens, Baisakhi is not confined too villages and fields only, but now has an urban presence.
The real celebrations are in the villages of Punjab when the crop is harvested. In Anandpur Sahib (the birth place of Khalsa) Baisakhi meals are organized in large numbers. In the cities people visit gurudwaras with the family. Not only Sikhs, but people of other communities also visit the gurudwaras with their families and friends to take a holy dip and savour the langar and kadah prashad.
The festival is especially important for the Sikh community as it marks the establishment of the Khalsa which is also termed Khalsa Sirjana Divas and falls on the first day of Vaisakh which is the second month of the Nanakshahi calendar.
Vaisakhi is one of the three festivals chosen by Guru Amar Das to be celebrated by Sikhs (the others being Maghi and Diwali which later gave rise to the festival of Bandi Chor Divas during the times of the sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji).
The festival bears a great significance for Sikhs because on the Vaisakhi Day 13 April in the year 1699, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh laid down the foundation of the Panth Khalsa, that is the Order of the Pure Ones giving rise to the festival of Khalsa Sirjana Divas. It is also used as a celebration for those accepting the five Ks.
Whatever the history says, today Baisakhi is celebrated with all pomp and show. The Sikhs, rural and urban celebrate this festival with full enthusiasm and vigour. It is a social festival and involves lot of religious activities also. The main part is dancing, eating, enjoying and merry making. They wear colourful dresses and perform their special dance form called Bhangra, which depicts full energy and passion.