Vaisakhi वैशाखी (13.04.2024)-Rohit Kumar Parmar

Vaisakhi वैशाखी (13.04.2024)

-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]

V/Baisakhi marks the start of Vikram Samvat calendar; the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar; the Solar New Year; on the first day of Vaisakha (वैशाख) month, and is observed as a harvest, historical, religious and social festival by Punjabis (Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and some Christians), in the land of five rivers [2] (Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab), in parts of Pakistan (Punjab province); Dogri speaking areas of Jammu and Kashmir; parts of Rajasthan; Uttarkhand; and Western Uttar Pradesh. Vikram Samvat calendar started 57 years before the Gregorian calendar.

This is one of the few festivals which falls around the same date every year. Vaisakhi coincides with the rabi (winter crop) harvest and the Indian New Year. This year the celebrations are on 13th for V/Baisakhi, on 14th for Puthandu; Pana Sankranti, Mesha Sankranti; Bohag/ Rongali Bihu; Pohela Boishakh; and Vishu Kani. [3] It is celebrated as New Year in the neighbouring countries of South/South-East Asia also, Bangladesh (Poila Boisakh), Nepal (Bikram Samvat), Pakistan (Punjab province as Baisakhi), Thailand (Songkron), and in Sri Lanka (Sinhalese New Year).

Rabi, the main crop (wheat) is ripe, and farmers look forward to harvest it [4] as fruits of labour. Vaisakhi welcomes the New Year and harvest for the largely farming community (then and also today).

Vaisakhi marks significant historical/relegious events including anointment of Guru Gobind Singh as the tenth Guru of Sikhs on Vaisakhi on March 29 1676; birth of Khalsa on March 30, 1699, when Guru Gobind Singh addressed his followers at Anandpur;

and proclamation of Ranjit Singh as Maharaja of the Sikh Empire on April 12, 1801.

On Vaisakhi day, British General Reginald Dyer, committed the Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar genocide/massacre, on a non-violent gathering, protesting against the colonial rule and exploitation in un-divided India.

Sikhs hold kirtans, visit local Gurdwaras, and melas/community fairs. Kirtan processions are taken out, and people gather to socialize and share festive foods.

Sweetened Rice, Mithe Chowl, मीठे चावल, ਮਿੱਠੇ ਚੌਲ,

After harvesting the wheat, ढोल (Dhols /Drums) is played and people recite Punjabi doha’s (couplets) like.

दुःख में सुमिरन सब करे सुख में करै न कोय।

जो सुख में सुमिरन करे दुःख काहे को होय ॥

इसका अर्थ

कबीर दास जी कहते हैं कि दुःख के समय सभी भगवान् को याद करते हैं पर सुख में कोई नहीं करता।

यदि सुख में भी भगवान् को याद किया जाए तो दुःख हो ही क्यों ॥

Indian festivals are incomplete without lavish dishes like Kadhi Chawal, Mithe Chowl (ਮਿੱਠੇ ਚੌਲ , sweetened rice), Seviyan, Kheer, Phirni on Vaisakhi.

Lyrics of a popular Punjabi folk song, describing an enthusiastic lady’s visit to a mela (fair) are given below:

Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di [5]

Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di

Chan Ve...

Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di

Pair Dho Ke Jhanjra Paundi Meldi Aundi

Ke Shokan Mele Di

Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di

Chan Ve...

Chan Ve Ke Shokan Mele Di

Pair Dho Ke Jhanjra Paundi Meldi Aundi

Ke Shaukan Mele Di

Chan Ve Ke Utte Lai Ke Amb Rasiya X 2

Gal Pa Basket Kaali Murabbeya Wali