On this memorable Baisakhi day (March, 30 of A.D. 1699), Guru Gobind Singh Sahib called a big meeting at Kesgarh Sahib near the City of Anandpur Sahib. Between fifty to eighty thousand Sikhs attended this meeting. When all were expecting to hear words of comfort and consolation from the lips of their Guru, they were perturbed to see him with …
Read More »Where is Baisakhi Celebrated?
Where is Baisakhi Celebrated? Throughout the state of Punjab and Haryana, particularly in Amritsar. Baisakhi is a harvest festival, a Punjabi new year festival, and commemoration of the founding of the Khalsa (Sikh religion brotherhood) all rolled into one occasion. In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Sikh Guru) decided to discontinue the tradition of Gurus in Sikhism. He proclaimed …
Read More »What is Baisakhi Day?
What is Baisakhi Day? Baisakhi Day or Vaisakhi Day of March 30th, 1699 is of significant importance for the Sikhs. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh – the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs founded the Akal Khalsa (Community of the Pure) at a ceremony organized at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur Sahib. The Akal Khalsa played a significant …
Read More »When is Baisakhi celebrated? Baisakhi Date
When is Baisakhi celebrated? Baisakhi falls on the first day of Vaisakh month according to Nanakshahi or Sikh Calendar. According to English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to April 13 every year and April 14 once in every 36 years. This difference in Baisakhi dates is due to the fact that day of Baisakhi is reckoned according to solar …
Read More »What Rituals are Performed During Baisakhi?
Baisakhi Rituals: In the morning, Sikhs visit the gurudwara (temple) to attend special payers. Most Sikhs strive to visit the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar or Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa was pronounced. The Granth Sahib is bathed with milk and water, placed on a throne, and read. Karah prasad (sacred pudding made from butter, sugar and flour) is distributed. …
Read More »Why is Guru Nanak so important to Sikhs?
Guru Nanak was so important to the Sikh’s because he was the first guru, also he was the one who founded Sikhism, there was no Sikhism before he was born. Guru Nanak believes in one god and Sikh’s want to follow that too. Why is Guru Nanak so important to Sikhs? You should show that you respect Guru Nanak by …
Read More »Which day is the Maghi Day?
The day following Lohri is called ‘Maghi’, signifying the beginning of the month of Magh. According to Hindu beliefs, this is an auspicious day to take a holy dip in the river and give away charity. Sweet dishes (usually kheer) are prepared with sugar cane juice to mark the day. Lohri is more than just a festival, especially for the …
Read More »Which festivals of India are similar to Thanksgiving Day?
Lohri celebrates fertility and the joy of life, and in the event of the birth of a male child or a marriage in the family, it assumes a larger significance wherein the host family arranges for a feast and merry-making with the traditional bhangra dance along with rhythm instruments, like the dhol and the gidda. The first Lohri of a …
Read More »Which is the Great Indian Thanksgiving Hindu Harvest Festival?
Seventy percent of India‘s population lives in villages, and a vast majority of people solely depend on agriculture. As a result, we find that most Hindu festivals are directly or indirectly linked to agriculture and related activities. Pongal is one such big festival, celebrated every year in mid January – mostly in the south of India and especially in Tamil …
Read More »Why is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dīpa or deeya (earthen lamp, as illustrated). …
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