Baisakhi 2023: Why it is Celebrated? Know About Nagar Kirtan And Khalsa Panth

 Baisakhi 2023: Why it is Celebrated? Know About Nagar Kirtan And Khalsa Panth

The harvest festival, also known as Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, is enthusiastically observed by Hindus across the majority of India as the start of the new year. In India, it signifies the end of the harvest season, which is a prosperous period for farmers. It is a festival marked by a great deal of joy and happiness and is also known as Vaisakhi. Tremendously celebrated by Punjab and Haryana.   

The festival is celebrated as Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bohag Bihu in Assam, Pooramuddin in Kerala, Bihu in Uttarakhand, Maha Vishnu Sankranti in Odisha and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Significance 
Baisakhi also holds significance for Sikhs because it was on this day, in 1699, that the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth or the Pure Order in a gathering in the wake of religious persecution. 

Where is Baisakhi or Vaisakhi celebrated?
In addition to celebrations in North India, Sikh, and other Punjabi diaspora communities celebrate the festival worldwide in countries such as Canada and the UK. The folk dance of Punjab, Bhangra, is an important feature of fairs held in North India and elsewhere.

Baisakhi 2023: Date and Auspicious time  
The festival of Baisakhi falls on the first day of the month of Vaishakh (April–May) according to the Sikh calendar. As per the English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to 14th April every year and 14th April once every 36 years. In the year 2023, Baisakhi is falling on—
Baisakhi - 14 April 2023
Baisakhi Sankranti moment - 03:12 PM
For more, auspicious timings, and the right tithi, you can talk to astrologer online.     

What is 2023 Baisakhi Nagar Kirtan?
Devotees take part in a street procession called 'Nagar Kirtan' on the day of Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, which involves singing, scripture recitation, and bhajan-kirtan. Major celebrations are held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, where Guru Gobind Singh is said to have founded the 'Khalsa Panth'.

Devotees start gathering at the Golden Temple in the early morning for special prayers. Everyone prays for happiness and prosperity for the coming year and the atmosphere becomes very serene all around. After the prayer, everyone heads to the langar hall and eats together keeping aside differences.

How is Baisakhi celebrated?
Baisakhi is mainly celebrated in a Gurudwara or any open place in which Bhangra and Giddha dance etc. This festival is celebrated in the following way— 
➡ On this day people wake up early in the morning and go to the Gurudwara to pray.
➡ In Baisakhi, the place of Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the Gurudwara is purified with water and milk.
➡ The crown and holy book are then set in their proper positions.
➡ After this, the book is read and the followers listen attentively to the voice of the Guru.
➡ On this day a special type of nectar is prepared for the devotees which is then distributed.
➡ According to tradition, the followers take the nectar five times in a row.
➡ In the afternoon Muhurta, after Ardaas, Prasad is offered to the Guru and given to the followers.
➡ In the end, people consume langar.
➡ Along, with this, you can check your monthly rashifal.      

History and Significance of Baisakhi
Baisakhi was one of the three festivals celebrated by Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of the Sikhs. In 1699, the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was publicly beheaded by the Mughals. This was due to their desire to resist the Mughal invaders and to protect the cultural identity of Hindus and Sikhs, whom the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb wanted to convert to Islam.

In 1699, on the day of Baisakhi, his son Guru Gobind Rai rallied the Sikhs and inspired them with his words and deeds, earning the title of Singh or Lion for both of them and becoming known as Guru Gobind Singh.

The five main symbols of Sikhism were adopted and the guru system was abolished, urging Sikhs to accept the Granth Sahib as the eternal guide. Thus, the festival of Baisakhi is celebrated to mark the coronation of the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the foundation of the Khalsa Panth of Sikhism, which makes it of great importance to Sikhism and one of the biggest Sikh festivals.

 

Views: 165

Recent Blog

RECENT BLOGS