Essay on Baisakhi | Why is Baisakhi Celebrated in India

This ‘Essay on Baisakhi’ illustrated the meaning of Baisakhi (Vaisakhi), why is Baisakhi celebrated and how is Baisakhi celebrated in India. Information on Punjab’s Baisakhi. There are certain stories behind the Baisakhi celebration in India. You will get to know the link between Baisakhi and the Hindu new year.

Essay on Baisakhi | What is Baisakhi Festival in India

What is Baisakhi Festival

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is celebrated on the 13th of April every year. It is the main festival of Sikhs. Mainly, Baisakhi is the harvest festival of Punjab. It marks the beginning of the Indian new year.

Although, every part of India celebrates Baisakhi by various names. Pongal in the Southern region, Bihu in Assam and Vishu in Kerala. However, all the regions have their own manner of celebrating this festival.
Celebration in Punjab is worth watching because Punjab has a dual reason behind its celebration; agricultural as well as religious.

Agricultural Importance

The first crop of wheat (which is the staple food of India) is harvested on Baisakhi and offered to God amidst prayers and celebrations. In other words, farmers thank God for giving the crop fields all the favourable conditions required for bumper crop production. Punjab and Haryana which are the largest wheat producer states of India lead this celebration.

Why is Baisakhi Celebrated?

On this day (13th April), 1699 Sikhs were organised into a separate group called Khalsa by their 10th and last guru Guru Gobind Singh.

Stories behind Baisakhi Celebration

Gobind Singh discontinued the tradition of gurus and asked all the Sikhs to follow guru granth sahib (Sikhs’ holy book) as their guide and mentor. That’s why Gobind Singh ji was the last guru of Sikhs. From that day Baisakhi is celebrated for this reason also.
All the gurudwaras are cleaned and magnificently decorated. People visit their nearby gurudwaras. Golden Temple is the most popular Gurudwara among Indians as well as foreigners. It is mandatory to cover the head before entering into a gurudwara.

How to celebrate Baisakhi

  • At the making of Khalsa five men who volunteered their life for sacrifice were baptised with nectar and named as ‘panj pyare’.
  • The dress code of Sikhs with a turban was officially adopted on this day.
  • It was said that all the male members of Khalsa would suffix their name with Singh and female members with Kaur.
  • On this day people unite in large numbers with their community to participate in the processions held for this festival.
  • Bhangra and gidda are performed on the beats of Punjabi dhol.
  • Men and women dress up in their traditional style of clothing and enjoy dance, music and food.
  • People wear yellow and orange colour because these are the traditional colours of the festival.

Guru Granth Sahib and Baisakhi

Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the central religious scripture of Sikhism, followed by Sikhs all over the world. The Holy Book is organized in the form of hymns written in praise of God, which describe the teachings of gurus and the right way to live. 

On Baisakhi, the holy book (Guru Granth Sahib) is sprinkled with water and the sacrifice of panj pyare is dramatized in front of it. After a long procession on roads, the book is kept back on its throne and the teachings of great Gurus is commemorated. People listen to the musical verses sung in praise of God( called Nagar kirtan).
After this start food and feasting. A community meal (popularly known as langar) is served to all. This food is supremely delicious.

What is langar?

Langar is always vegetarian. So, everyone can enjoy it. It is called Prasada. Cleanliness of the kitchen, utensils, body and mind is of utmost importance. Gossiping is strictly prohibited and the persons preparing the food keep on reciting Gurbani Japji Sahib.

It is a 24-hour free service in almost all the Gurudwaras and anyone can have it. An average of 100,000 devotees or tourists daily eat langar in the Community Kitchen of the Golden Temple but the number becomes almost double on special occasions. Groceries and eatables are donated to the Gurudwaras by wealthy people in society.

Baisakhi and Hindu New Year

The new year in north and central India falls on Baisakhi because these regions follow the solar calendar. Earth takes around 365 days to complete one orbit around the sun. This is known as the solar year. While a lunar year is of 354 days or 12 full cycles of the moon.

According to the Hindu calendar, the new year falls on the first day of the Vaisakh month which generally falls on the 14th-15th of April. That’s why Baisakhi is also celebrated as Hindu New Year.

Baisakhi Essay in English: Conclusion

Baisakhi is, thus, celebrated as the arrival of the harvest season, the establishment of Khalsa Panth and the beginning of the Hindu New Year.

The celebration of this festival is characterised by special prayers, ritual cleansing, sharing of meals, merrymaking, music and dance. It is a joyful festival preaching to us to stay united and happy throughout the year.

Baisakhi Essay- difficult words

WordMeaning
Harvest TimeWhen the crop is ripe and ready to be gathered
BumperSomething unusually large
Staplebasic and important in people’s everyday lives
HymnsSong or poem in praise of God
RitualsA prescribed order for performing a ceremony
Preachteaching a religious message

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