India is a land of spirituality, multiple religions, traditions and cultures, and so festivals form the heart of this nation. To observe various traditions, a number of festivals that are held throughout the year, those offer an extraordinary way of observing Indian culture and customs at its best.
The Hindu New Year is celebrated under the Panchanga or the Almanac of the Hindu Lunar Calendar. The Hindu New Year is called the Vikram Samvat which will begin on April 13. This day also marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one and hence marks an important day for the agricultural community of India. It traditionally marks the beginning of reaping of crops.
This day is very special in India as it holds cultural, religious, and historical importance.
Table of Contents
1. Every state is drenched in a different color on this day.
2. The shedding of the gold sheet brings a wave of enthusiasm.
3. How is April 13th an important day in the Indian History?
4. Four wonderful lessons that Baisakhi teaches.
5. Put Identity of Humanity first.
6. How to celebrate Baisakhi in a real sense?
Every state is drenched in a different color on this baisakhi day.
Every Indian state celebrates this day with a different name and in its own unique style and mannerism. It is called Baisakhi in Punjab and northern India and Ugadi in Kerala and Southern India. Maharashtrians mark this day as Gudi Padwa whereas Sindhis embrace it as Cheti Chand. Gujaratis call this New Year as Bestu Varas whereas it is Basoa for people from Himachal Pradesh. Pohela Boisakh is the Bengali New Year’s Day, which also mostly falls on the same day and is celebrated all over West Bengal. On other hand, it is known and celebrated as Cheiraoba, the New Year, by the people of Manipur.
A new wave of enthusiasm engulfs the entire nation on this day. People dress in their traditional clothes and pray for good fortune in their own distinctive ways. What makes this day more special is the exotic fragrance of different types of dishes prepared in different states. Poori Halwa, Kanangachi kheer, Bobatlu, jalebis, and many delicious dishes are prepared on this day. Food marks an important aspect of this day and is prepared and served to all with great love and beaming hopes for the coming year.
The shedding of gold sheets brings a wave of enthusiasm.
Baisakhi is the harvest festival of Punjab. The waving full-grown crops spell the farmers with happiness. In the fields, there is a lot of charisma when the golden aura of ripen wheat spreads around, a velvety look and the grain’s fragrance spread in the air. Shedding this gold sheet by harvesting the crops prepares the land for the new season of crop sowing.
Baisakhi is the festival that celebrates the prosperous agricultural lands of India, the hard work of farmers and the sharing of joy with all.
On this joyful day, the farmers offer their prayers in gratitude for a bountiful harvest of the Rabi crop, women wear yellow dresses and do traditional Punjabi dances.
How is April 13th an important day in the Indian History?
April 13th holds a great importance in the history of Indian Independence. The day of Baisakhi of April 13, 1919, still screams about the British oppressors. Thousands of people had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, to raise their voice in protest against the ‘Rowlatt Act’. Under the Rowlatt Act, the judges and the police officers were given the right to put any Indian in the prison without any reason and without any trial.
To protest against it, there was a huge public meeting of thousands of people in Jallianwala Bagh of Sri Amritsar Sahib. But the British government started indiscriminate and incessant firing and killed thousands of people in this gathering. This was a huge massacre killing thousands of innocents including men, women and children.
Four Wonderful lessons that Baisakhi teaches.
1. Accept the change
Spring is a beautiful season when nature looks amazing and the weather prepares us for a change. The days tend to the warm while the nights are slightly cold. This festival celebrates the change in season from winters to spring and transition towards summers, and also inspires us to accept the change inside and outside of us.
2. Patriotism
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre filled rage in every Indian and is a reminiscence of the undying spirit of patriotism. This day reminds of the innumerable sacrifices done by our ancestors for the independent nation. This priceless independence has been gifted to us by our ancestors by sacrificing their lives. So we must do every possible effort to make this country more prosperous.
3. Unitedness
Festivals offer an opportunity to come and pray together. Worship becomes even more powerful when we pray together. A different aura and ambience is created when everyone wishes for the new energy and removal of vices from within. Praying together moves people from seeking their own purposes to desiring the greater good for all.
4. Respecting the roots.
Festivals signify our cultural and traditional identity. Celebrating festivals of our motherland keeps us attached to our roots. Our values and principles are depicted in the rituals of festivals. These values are to be followed every day and not just one day.
Put Identity of Humanity first
Baisakhi is a special time for people of Sikhism faith. It marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth community three hundred years ago by the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Gobind Singh Ji Instilled core values of Khalsa that are: Daya – kindness, Dharam – fairness, Himmat – courage, Mohkem – determination, and Sahib – Strength. Moreover, the faith in one God was propagated irrespective of caste, color, creed, etc. This day also reminds us that the religions prohibit the use of tobacco and other narcotics and the non-vegetarian diet. The religions emphasize on building high moral character.
How to celebrate Baisakhi in the real sense?
Baisakhi is celebrated in a different way by different people. Celebrations of this festival occur nationwide. But do you know one can celebrate every festival in a real sense that can provide long lasting happiness? Celebrate this day by spreading love and kindness.
- Provide food to the hungry and water to the thirsty.
- Help the needy who need food, clothes, and shelter.
- Plant trees and look after them.
- Donate blood.
- Remove the negativities inside you that produce hatred and ego.
- Listen to the pain of others and try to reduce it.
- Heal the wounds of the injured.
So this Baisakhi, let us remember to be kind and enjoy the spirit of brotherhood; let us all pray for the prosperity of our nation. Relish the good food, dance your heart out but most importantly, help someone and bring a smile on his face.
