Happy Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) to all Punjabis – April 2012

Sikhs, Punjabis and Indians all over the world celebrate Baisakhi (also known as Vaisakhi or Visakhi) today.

Baisakhi is a historic harvest festival based out of the Punjab and Haryana area which starts a new harvest season as well as marking a new solar year. For Sikhs, Baisakhi is one of most significant festivals in the Sikh calendar and commemorates the beginning of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in year 1699. This was done by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the 10th Sikh Guru) where the first Sikhs were baptized using amrit (sweet nector juice). Therefore, Indian Punjabis and Sikhs reflect on the values taught by Sikh Gurus and celebrate the Khalsa’s birth.

History tells another story that in 1567, Guru Ram Das committed Baisakhi as one of the specialist days, when all Sikhs would assemble to seek the blessings from Guru at Goindwal. Many Sikhs believe that on the day of Baisakhi, martyred by the barbaric acts of the Muslim rulers. According to the legend, he was dumped into boiling oil, by the Muslim rulers.

Baisakhi is usually celebrated on the 13th April, and occasionally on 14 April, in the different regions across the world as Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus migrated overseas. In 2012 it falls on April 13th.

The Chakra team wishes everyone a happy Baisakhi on this auspicious day.