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Baisakhi, the Festival of Harvest

          Baisakhi is a festival of nature that falls in April (Indian month of Vaisakh) every year. Part of the folk culture of an agricultural society, Baisakhi is a celebration of the new harvest, as also the beginning of a new year in most regions in the country.

            The farmer bursts into song and dance with joy when the nature rewards him after his long toil. This loud and zestful expression is most visible in the western states of Punjab and Haryana where the main occupation of the people is farming. Community fairs and wrestling matches etc are part of the celebration. The famous Punjabi dances called bhangra (of men) and gidda (of women) add flavour to the festivities.  

          Baisakhi has additional significance for Sikhs. It was on this day in 1699 that the tenth and last guru (Govind Singh) launched Khalsa Panth, and ushered in a spirit of brotherhood in the society by banishing caste and creed. He discontinued the Sikh tradition of following the gurus and instead proclaimed the holy book, Granth Saheb, as the guru. Hence Guru Granth Saheb. This occasion is celebrated everywhere, but the main function is held at Anandpur Saheb Gurdwara (temple or abode of the teacher).

          In Delhi's nine historical gurdwaras devotional recitations and chanting is organised. Free meals are served to all visitors.

          In view of the worsening of relations with Pakistan as a sequel to the Islamic militant attacks on vital targets in India, the Government denied permission for the traditional annual Sikh religious jathas to Nankana Saheb in Pakistan on Baisakhi for security reasons. The jathas are undertaken during April 11 to 30.

         In Himachal Pradesh, Hindus worship at Jwalamukhi temple and take holy bath. In north India at

other places also where wheat is harvested at this time, people celebrate it as a festival. In Bengal it is observed as new year. People take holy dip in the Ganga. Biharis worship the sun and take bath at the sun temple.

          It is Rongali or Bohag Bihu in Assam. Performances of music and traditional Bihu dance are organised. The celebrations last several days.The first day cattle are given bath and decked with flowers and haldi ( turmeric). This day is called Goru (cattle) Bihu. Handwoven Bihuwans or gamuchas are crafted for sale and gift. In Maharashtra the day is called Gudi Padva.

         On the day called Vishu Kani in Kerala, people get up early in the morning and without opening their eyes go before a pre-arranged collection of auspicious things like rice, fruits, vegetables, special flowers, a piece of new cloth and coins etc placed in front of a lamp, and take their first look of the day at them.

          Buddhists believe that Gautama (Buddha) attained enlightenment on the auspicious day of Baisakhi.

          This festival of harvest, the harbinger of new season and new year in several regions and communities is by and large an expression of universal brotherhood, happiness and thanks-giving to God for a bountiful yield.         

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