Essay on Baisakhi Festival in 500 Words
Baisakhi is one of the prominent festivals in the Sikh community that is celebrated in India, especially in Punjab and Haryana. It is also known as Vaisakhi and falls in April every year. The festival is dedicated to welcome the arrival of the harvest season. Also, the festival marks the New Year for the Sikh community.
Moreover, it is also celebrated in Pakistan as many Sikhs have resided thereafter the partition of India. Countries like Canada, Los Angeles, United Kingdom and Manhattan also witness this festival because of the vast Sikh community situating there permanently. People celebrate it with immense joy and fervour.
History of Baisakhi
The tale of the festival commences with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru who was publicly beheaded by Aurangzeb. In those times, the Mughal rule was dominant, and they had a wicked plan of spreading Islam in India and converting everyone into a Muslim.
Guru Teg Bahadur could not withstand this and stood up against them to fight for the rights of Hindus and Sikhs. Since people started believing in him, they too joined his movement and retaliated against the Aurangzeb.
Aurangzeb was infuriated by Guru Teg Bahadur’s action and declared him as a threat. Therefore, he was killed in public to create terror among the people. After the death of Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh succeeded him as the next Guru.
In 1699, on the occasion of Baisakhi, he reshaped the Sikh community into a family of soldier saints who were known as Khalsa Panth. He was the pioneer to found Khala Panth in the presence of thousands at Anandpur Sahib.
During the festival, He had put up a tent and came out of it carrying a sword and challenging any Sikh who was ready to sacrifice his life to enter into the tent. He kept on repeating this action until five men volunteered and disappeared into the tent.
The people present in the crowd were curious and concerned to know what happened to those men. Then suddenly they saw the five men return wearing turbans with the Guru. The Guru baptized these men into the Khalsa. Later, these five were referred to as ‘Panj Piare’ or ‘Beloved Five’.
Celebration of Baisakhi
Baisakhi is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. The entire atmosphere gets filled with vibrant colours and festive energy. A lot of processions known as Nagar Kirtans led by five Khalsas passes across the streets in the morning.
In Punjab, the Golden Temple is adorned with sparkling lights. Devotees attend special prayers organized in Gurudwara and attend fairs. Bhangra and Gidda dance performances, music, folk songs, and traditional food are the unique attraction of the festival.
Kada Prasad is a signature dessert which is distributed among the people. In Gurudwara, Langar is arranged where the people relish food. Sikh community is popular in terms of their lively energy, joyous nature and positive attitude; hence their festival reflects their merriest state. The family members, neighbours, friends and relatives come together to celebrate the festival.
Baisakhi Essay in 250 Words
India is a country known for its rich culture and tradition. Due to the diversity in the country, several festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Agriculture being the primary occupation, there are festivals dedicated only to harvest and spring season.
One such festival is Baisakhi celebrated in Punjab and Haryana by the Sikh community. It comes in April and celebrated to commemorate Guru Teg Bahadur and arrival of harvest. The festival spreads joy, fun, happiness and love among the people.
Not only in India, but it is celebrated outside India where the Sikh community resides. Moreover, the festival is similar to Rongali Bihu in Assam, Vishu in Kerala and Pongal in Tamil-Nadu.
An ancient story of Guru Teg Bahadur underlines the celebration behind the festival. When the unjust Aurangzeb ruled India, he wanted to spread Islam and convert everyone into a Muslim.
It was a tall order situation at that period. Hence Guru Teg Bahadur rose against them. He was killed in front of the public. Guru Gobind Singh succeeded him and formed Khalsa Panth. His sacrifice for the Sikh community is revered in the form of Baisakhi festival.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is decorated with lights and flowers. Kirtan and procession are arranged in the morning. Khada Prasad, a sacred sweet dessert, is distributed among the community. People wear traditional clothes and visit Gurudwara.
Also in the evening, Bhangra and Gidda dance are performed by both men and women. The most intriguing part is that people forget their boundaries and celebrate the festival with great zeal.
10 Lines on Baisakhi Essay
- Baisakhi is the Sikh New Year and arrival of the harvest season.
- It is a festival celebrated in India with different names.
- West Bengal celebrates Naba Barsha, Kerala Vishu and Assam Rongali Bihu.
- The festival is also dedicated to commemorating Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh.
- People offer their gratitude and pay tribute to the martyrs of Jallianwala Baug massacre.
- Baisakhi symbolizes peace, harmony and courage.
- On this special occasion, Guru Gobind Singh formed Khalsa Panth.
- People celebrate it by organizing Kirtan in the morning and visiting Gurudwara.
- Bhangra and Gidda dance performances are the eye-catching events of the festival.
- Kada Prasad, a sacred dish made from semolina, is distributed to spread happiness and positivity.
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