Baisakhi

Baisakhi is celebrated in the Northern state of Punjab in India. It is celebrated as a thanksgiving day by the farmers. They thank God for their abundant harvest.

A Punjabi saint, Mangat Ram Ji says, "Aai basant simar murar". This means that we should thank God for His generous gifts on this day.

People of Punjab perform a Punjabi style dance called Bhangra on this day. Recently several persons have fused Bhangra with western style dance like hip-hop or rock. In Hindi films too, there are many songs with Bhangra music.

Baisakhi has a religious significance both for Sikhs and Hindus. Sikhs were initiated on this day by their tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. They were instructed not to cut their hair. Sikh males started having uncut long hair and beard from this day.

For Hindus, Goddess Ganga descended from the heaven to the earth on this day.

In Manhattan, New York, several people come out to do selfless service and give out free food on this day. In several Gurudwaras (Sikh houses of worship), there is a full day kirtan (singing music in praise of God).

By,

Ashok Gupta