Why Baisakhi Matters: Cultural Significance and How It’s Celebrated
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a festival of the Sikh community, and is celebrated across the world. Students studying in class 5 and above can refer to the Baisakhi essay in English given below. This essay on Baisakhi in English is written in a simple way for easy learning of young students. After going through the points in the below-given essay, students will be able to write a Baisakhi festival essay in English in their own words.
Long Essay on Baisakhi
Baisakhi is one of the notable festivals of the Hindu-Sikh community. Around the 13th and 14th of April every year the Baisakhi festival is celebrated in India, with great fervour, in the state of Punjab. It is celebrated on the 13th of April in most years, and is celebrated on the 14th of April only once in 36 years. It is known to be one of the most important festivals in Punjab and Haryana. It is popular in different names in different regions of the country. For example, in Assam it is called Rongali Bihu, in West Bengal it is called Poila Baisakh, in Bihar, it is known as Vaisakha, in Kerala Vishu, and in Tamil Nadu, it’s called Puthandu.
Our country is an agricultural country. The economy of India depends on the farmers in a big way. Baisakhi is a festival for the farmers in the country. It is a festival that marks the harvesting of the first Rabi crop or the summer crop. On this day the sound of “Jatta Aayi Baisakhi” echoes in the sky.
For the Sikhs besides being the new year, they celebrate this festival by doing Nagar kirtans, visiting local gurudwaras, fairs, etc. where they pray for prosperity and happiness for the new year. , it also serves as a day having a history in the religion. As on this day, there was the birth of Khalsa Panth by the tenth Guru of Sikhs Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on Vaisakhi of the year 1699.
On the day of Vaisakhi, the Jallianwala bagh incident happens. This massacre of Jillian Vala bagh was the major massacre that proved to be an influential event in the independence movement of India. On this day in jallian wala bagh, the British General Dyer fired on the crowd of people that had gathered in jallianwala bagh. This led to the death of thousands of people there and in memory of them there the jallian wala bagh is preserved as it is along with some modern structures that are built in order to preserve their memories.
Baisakhi is also celebrated in the other parts of the world like Canada, home to a large Sikh community where they participate in the Nagar kirtans, Pakistan which is home to some Sikhs, and Manhattan in the US observes the festival of Baisakhi with utmost zeal and enthusiasm. The Sikh community even serves free food to the local people there. London is known to have the largest Sikh community in the United Kingdom. Birmingham City Council helps with the coordination to hold Nagar kirtans in South Hall. Thousands are attracted by this, who eventually help the community celebrate Baisakhi in their own way.
One of the other major reasons for remembering Baisakhi is the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He was executed for not giving in to the demand of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, to convert into Islam. Thus, the tenth Sikh Guru was crowned and the Khalsa Panth was formed. The ripening of the Rabi crop and its first harvest is marked by the festival. Baisakhi is also considered as the Sikh new year. People wish each other a happy and prosperous new year with the harvested crops that are in abundance.
Flowers and lights are used to decorate the Gurudwaras gorgeously. Nagar kirtans are organised. Processions are organised to spread love and peace among the people. On this auspicious day, in the morning, people get all dressed up in new clothes to offer their prayers and arrange and participate in Langars. Community fairs are organised and people enjoy the delicious Punjabi cuisine at the stalls there. They love the traditional lassi, Chhole Bhature, Kadai Chicken, etc. The community members make a bonfire at night and dance Bhangra, Punjabi folk dances, or gidda. The nagada and dhol add on to the zeal of Baisakhi.
In 1699, on the day of Baisakhi, Guru Gobind Singh called the Sikhs from all over the country to Anandpur Sahib city. Guru asked the Sikhs to support their faith and preserve their own religion. After that Guru Gobind Singh drew out his sword and asked for anyone who would give his life for his faith to win. After a big silence, one of the Sikhs followed the Guru. Then Guru appeared again with blood on his sword and asked the same question again. This was repeated until there were five volunteers. At last, Guru came out with five men in blue coloured dress and called them Panj Pyare, meaning the Five Beloved Ones. In a ceremony called Pahul, the Panj Pyare were baptised. Later the Panj Pyare baptised Guru. Guru Gobind Singh said Panj Pyare is the holiest of the holy. Also, to do away with the discrimination based on caste, Guru made all Sikh men’s surname Singh and that of the women’s Kaur. Singh means Lion and Kaur represents princess.
In addition to this for Hindus, this festival is for ritual bathing and g8ve some time to their religions. Like in this they go and take bath in the river like Yamuna Godavari Ganga and soon. Besides this, they visit the temples and perform the mandatory daan. This Shaan is especially for hand fans, water pitchers, and seasonal fruits. On Vaisakhi, there are fairs being held in the religious pilgrimage sites, and along with this for many temples the possessions of their deities are taken out in the city.
The new year also falls on the same day every year for most of the Buddhist communities that are located in the south or in southern Asia.
Mainly Baisakhi is celebrated as the harvest festival because on this day in the northern Indian states such as in Punjab chamber dogra there is cutting down of the Rabi crops and the first cut is given by the farmers to the God as a bhog. Along with this Vaisakhi day marks a new year for Punjabi, Bengalis, Nepalis, and other communities of India. Many fairs are held on this day in any part of India also in Jammu and Kashmir.
Short Essay on Baisakhi
Every year, the Baisakhi festival is celebrated in the month of April. Baisakhi is majorly a festival of the Hindu-Sikh people but the ones following Islam could also actively be a part of the celebrations. Baisakhi is not a festival only to mark the Sikh new year or the first harvest, but it also marks the last Khalsa organised by Guru Gobind Singh in 1966.
Some of the holy activities of Baisakhi celebrations are the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib in the gurudwaras and the distribution of Karah Prasad and the Langar among the devotees after they are offered to the Guru. Fairs are organised on Baisakhi and the Bhangra and Gidda dances with the pomp of the Punjabi dhols add to the fun and frolic of the festival celebration.
Baisakhi is the festival of happiness. This day is observed as a festival for many Hindu communities and Sikh communities also. This day of Vaisakhi is regarded as the solar new year, a harvest festival in most parts of North India, and along with this, there is the birth of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on this day. In many places, fairs and processions are held along with the beautiful decoration of the temples. There are many religious practises and gatherings that are performed on this day. It is celebrated on the 15th of April mostly every year. This festival marks happiness for the people of all religions and is celebrated by them with full zeal and enthusiasm.
Essay on Baisakhi in English (200 Words)
Baisakhi is a popular festival celebrated mainly in Punjab and Haryana. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and is observed with great joy by farmers. The festival falls on April 13 or 14 every year.
Baisakhi is also an important day for Sikhs as it commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. On this day, people visit Gurdwaras, participate in prayers, and enjoy langar (community meal). Special processions called Nagar Kirtans are carried out in the streets, where people sing religious hymns.
In villages, farmers celebrate by dancing Bhangra and Gidda, wearing colorful clothes, and enjoying traditional food. Fairs are also organized where people participate in games, music, and cultural activities.
Baisakhi is a time of happiness, gratitude, and new beginnings. It reminds farmers to be thankful for their crops and Sikhs to uphold their faith and values. The festival brings people together, spreading joy and unity among communities.
Overall, Baisakhi is a festival of prosperity, culture, and spiritual significance, making it a special occasion for everyone.
Also Read
Summary
The Sikhs are popular for their loveable nature. The festival of Baisakhi is celebrated by different communities for various reasons, in spite of which the main motive behind the festival stays the same. The idea at the core of this festival is to pray, socialise, and enjoy good food. People are joyful and excited on this day. Baisakhi has a dedication for spreading harmony, peace, and love and to socialise within the community and outside of the community.
FAQs on Baisakhi Essay for Students: Importance, Traditions & Celebrations
1. What is the main significance of the Baisakhi festival?
Baisakhi holds a dual significance. Primarily, it is a harvest festival celebrated in the Punjab region, marking the time for farmers to harvest the rabi crops. Secondly, it has immense religious importance for Sikhs as it commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa Panth in 1699 by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
2. What are some traditional foods prepared during Baisakhi?
The celebrations of Baisakhi are complemented by a variety of delicious traditional dishes. Some popular examples include:
Kadhi Pakora served with rice.
Meethe Peele Chawal (sweet saffron rice).
Sarson ka Saag and Makki di Roti.
Chole Bhature and Pindi Chana.
Desserts like Kheer, Kesar Phirni, and Kada Prasad.
Refreshing drinks like Lassi.
3. How is Baisakhi traditionally celebrated?
Baisakhi is celebrated with great fervour. People visit Gurdwaras for special prayer meetings. Colourful processions called Nagar Kirtans are organised, where people sing hymns and showcase martial arts (Gatka). Farmers celebrate the harvest with folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda. Fairs (melas) are also a common sight, featuring food stalls, rides, and cultural performances.
4. What are five key facts about Baisakhi for students?
For an essay on Baisakhi, students should remember these five key points:
It is celebrated annually on April 13th or 14th.
It marks the Punjabi New Year and the spring harvest.
It is a day of great religious significance for Sikhs, marking the birth of the Khalsa.
Celebrations involve prayer, processions, community feasts (langar), and vibrant folk dances.
It is also celebrated by Hindus, who may take holy dips in rivers like the Ganges.
5. Why is Baisakhi important to both farmers and Sikhs?
Baisakhi's importance is twofold. For farmers, it is a secular festival of thanksgiving, marking the end of the harvest season and a time to pray for future prosperity. For Sikhs, it is a deeply religious day that celebrates the creation of the Khalsa Panth, which gave the Sikh community a distinct identity and reinforced its principles of courage, equality, and service.
6. What is the symbolism of wearing yellow or orange during Baisakhi?
The colours yellow and orange hold special symbolism during Baisakhi. They represent the spirit of joy and celebration. Yellow, in particular, symbolises the colour of ripened mustard fields, signifying a bountiful harvest and prosperity. These vibrant colours reflect the festive and optimistic mood of the occasion.
7. How does the Baisakhi festival connect to the Indian freedom struggle?
Baisakhi is historically linked to a tragic event in India's freedom struggle. On Baisakhi day, April 13, 1919, a large, peaceful crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest the Rowlatt Act. British troops fired upon the unarmed crowd, leading to a horrific massacre. This event intensified the Indian independence movement, making Baisakhi a day of both celebration and solemn remembrance.
8. How do Baisakhi celebrations differ from other harvest festivals in India?
While many Indian festivals like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, and Onam in Kerala are also harvest-centric, Baisakhi is unique due to its profound religious dimension for Sikhism. While others focus primarily on thanking nature for the crops, Baisakhi uniquely combines this agricultural celebration with the commemoration of the founding of the Khalsa Panth, a pivotal event in Sikh history.
