Smita Diwan
The Baisakhi festival is celebrated specially to mark the harvesting time of rabi crops in the states of Haryana and Punjab. It is also known as the New Year for the Sikh community as it was on this day of Baisakhi that the Ten Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Sigh, administered amrit or the nectar to his first five disciples. The Baisakhi is celebrated by people of various religions.
The Celebration Frenzy
People in the city visit the nearest Gurudwara, take a dip in the holy pond there and received the Kara Prasad which is distributed there. The meeting is concluded by the community lunch commonly known as guru ka langar. Sometimes processions are carried out across the city marking the major locations. While in the procession devotional songs are being sung by the children, women and men. Giddha, bhangra and mock duels are also performed in the procession. Apart from this people visit friends and relatives and exchange sweets and greetings.
The Baisakhi Food
Food has always been a part of Indian celebrations. Homemade sweets like aate ki pinni which are made of flour and ghee are prepared and served to friends, relatives and visitors. Among veg items there are pindi chana which is a preparation mainly of chick peas, sarso ka saag and among non-veg items there are saag meat, biryani and tandoori chicken.
Baisakhi Dance
The giddha and the bhangra are most popular dances performed during the Baisakhi celebration. The various styles in which bhangra is performed are Tribal, Sialkoti, Malwa, Sheikhupuri, Jhummer and Majha. Props like sticks and chimtas are used while dancing. The giddha is danced in a circle while dancer sits with a dholki in the middle.
The Baisakhi has both religious and cultural significance. The differences between the rich and the poor as well as between various religions and cultures too are wiped out.
