Vaisakhi: Celebrating in the UK
Vaisakhi, also pronounced Baisakhi (Buh-Sack-Key) is a Sikh festival that takes place during the month of Vaisakh on the Nanak Shahi calendar, a solar calendar used in Sikhism.
The History of Vaisakhi
Originally a spring harvest festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Punjab, the festival gained religious significance for Sikhs when Guru Gobind Singh Ji — the 10th and final living guru for Sikhs — created the Khalsa in a ceremony known as Amrit Sanchar in 1699. This marks when Sikhism was born as a collective faith.
The Sikh faith was founded on the idea that there is only one Universal Creator and that all people are therefore equal, regardless of their religion, gender, ethnicity, colour, caste, or other attributes.
Sikhs see Sikhism as a tradition that has been fundamentally concerned with equality from its outset. They believe in equality and reject caste distinctions.
With the creation of the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh called for men initiated into the Khalsa. Five men stepped forward when Guru Gobind Singh asked for volunteers who were willing to give their lives for God and followed him into a tent to be sacrificed whilst the festival crowd looked on.
But they returned unharmed and were initiated into the Khalsa, becoming the first five members of the group. They became known as the Panj Pyare, or the Beloved Five. As last names are indictors of caste, Sikhs were instructed to discard their last names and men take the last name Singh and women to take the last name Kaur as a rejection of caste.
How it is celebrated
On Vaisakhi, Sikhs go to the Gurdwara in the morning for a service.
Afterwards, they have a procession through the streets wearing colourful clothes with religious hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book) recited.
The procession is called the Nagar Kirtan usually featuring five people dressed in religious attire representing the Panj Pyare walking bare foot.
The Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, is usually raised on a platform leading the parade, to signify its importance, the congression members clean the streets.
Free food called ‘Langar’ is served. Everyone, from all walks of life are invited to join and share a vegetarian meal.
During the Nagar Kirtan, talented Sikh martial artists, including women and children perform a Gatka demonstration using swords and sticks, in a visually spectacular display of discipline, strength and skill.
Vaisakhi will be celebrated in Leeds on Saturday 13 April. Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan will take place on Saturday 20 April. Celebrate the event at Millennium Square in Leeds, more information here.
