Baisakhi is more of a harvesting festival and
brings in a lot of merriness and colorful atmosphere. During this duration, the
Rabi crops are ready to be cut in various parts of India and hence fill the air
with enthusiasm and vibrancy. It is especially celebrated in the states of
Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal.
The Farmers
• In
this festival, the farmers thank Mother Nature and worship her for the
resourceful harvest. They also pray for the welfare and prosperity of the
country in the coming year.
• On
this day people wake up early in the morning and take bath in the Holy rivers.
• This
festival is termed differently for different countries. In Punjab, it is known
as Jatta Aai baishaki and in West Bengal, it is celebrated as Poila Boisakh. In
South India, it is termed as Vishu Baisakhi.
• The
Vishu Baisakhi of South India is celebrated in a different way. This Hindu
festival is celebrated with vigor and fanfare across the southern state of
Kerala. It witnesses a lot of fireworks, light, and color.
• People
pray God by keeping a lot of colorful fruits, vegetables, and pulses in a
mirror.
• The
young ones are offered with Vishu Kai neettam, which could be just a small
rupee coin or something even more extravagant.
• The
Keralites also prepare a Sadhya, which is a sumptuous feast with fruits
vegetables specially done on this day.
The Sikhs
• On
Baisakhi the Sikh families and friends gather in Gurdwara, to participate in
special morning prayers. After the prayer, a dessert called Kadaa Prasad is
handed out to all the worshipers.
• Special
Langar is arranged, which is free food for others.
• A
procession is taken on this day in which the Guru Granth Sahib, the main Sikh
religious text, is carried around. During the procession, the many attendees
sing, dance and chant religious phrases and prayers.
• On
this day both the men and women perform Bhangra and Gidda – two forms of
traditional dance.
• Men
and women wear bright clothes. The men wear traditional turbans on their heads
with fan-like adornments on top. They also wear kurtas, a long tunic, with a
decorated waistcoat. Under the kurta, they were a lungi, a large piece of cloth
wrapped around the waist. The women wear salwar suits and scarves.
• Authentic
Indian and Punjabi food is prepared on this day like Puri, Gajjar ka halwa,
Paneer Tikka, Motichhor Ladoo, Makki di roti, Chicken Biryani and much more.
The Bhangra dance
Bhangra is the most important part of the
entire Baisakhi festival. People sing a lot of Punjabi Boliyaan and rock the
air with their energetic steps. People enjoy playing the dhol, flute and other
musical instruments as well. This dance illustrates the sowing of seeds,
hoeing, cutting of wheat and the selling of crops.
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