Baisakhi and Vishu

Baisakhi and Vishu

Grandeur and tradition mingle well in projecting the happiness experienced by the people of Punjab whilst celebrating their festival of Harvest i.e. Baisakhi. Primarily a typical function of the Sikh community, this was the day Guru Gobind Singh founded or established the Khalsa. Owing to its religious connotation and holiness, the entire Punjab celebrates in the auspicious tidings.

Genearlly falling in mid April believing in the hindu calendar that indicates Vaishak month, this festival is all about being grateful to the bounties of nature. This is full bloom time and the spring season also gently makes its presence with farmers reaping what they have sown. This is reward time for the farmer and his family for tilling the soil and they expect a great crop.

The aroma of Khada Prasad and the aata halwa or the flour cake is another offering known as the prashad which is felt in the gururdwara. The Gurbani is revered text of the Sikh and there are many readings that talk about the doctrine of the Sikh community. The sewa is vital for seeking blessings and there is joy in participating in the kitchen arrangements. Women gather around for helping out in the kitchen and there is no feeling of tiredness as the enthusiasm of togetherness is felt in the hard work.

The day also coincides with the Keralites celebrating their Vishu festival which again is a harvest carnival. The people in Kerala arrange the vegetables, fruits, lentils and rice and adorn it with a special Kani flower which is a yellow flower and deck the mirror with ornaments. The elders customarily give a rupee coin to the children or young people at home as a token of wealth.

Baisakhi is incomplete without song and bhangra and the exuberance is enhanced with the bright clothes in the traditional attire. The great food spread is enticing for all people and the similarity of enthusiasm is also felt in the South during the feast prepared with fresh vegetables on plantain leaf.