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BBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Thousands turn out for Wolverhampton Vaisakhi celebrations
Thousands of people attended Vaisakhi celebrations in Wolverhampton on festival took place between 12:00-17:00 BST at West Park, with entertainment including a fun fair, stalls and prominent Asian musicians and singers performing live on there was a parade from the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara on Cannock Road to West Park, starting at 08:30 were speeches by religious leaders, a variety of local organisations showcased their services, and free food was also served throughout the day at the free cultural festival. Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year festival and this year marks the 326th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa Order and making of Saint-Soldier by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What Makes Baisakhi 2025 So Special for Sikhs and Farmers Alike?
Baisakhi, also spelled Vaisakhi, is a widely celebrated Indian festival, especially in Punjab and Haryana. Every Indian is familiar with the harvest festival known as the Baisakhi. This occasion marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year, according to the Nanakshahi calendar. The people of the Sikh community celebrate it enthusiastically. Marking the Sikh New Year, this day holds deep religious and cultural significance. On this particular day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, established the 'Khalsa'. For farmers, Baisakhi signifies the beginning of the harvest season of the Rabi crops. It is the time to thank the Almighty for a bountiful crop and seek the choicest blessings for their agricultural land. This occasion is on the first day of Vaisakh month, according to the Hindu calendar, every year. The Baisakhi festival is a celebrated ancient harvest festival observed, especially in the Punjab region regardless of their religion. Vaisakhi 2025 will fall on the 14th of April. Baisakhi 2025 Date- 14th April 2025 (Monday) Mesha Sankranti- 14th April 2025 (Monday) Baishakhi Sankranti Time- 03:30 AM (IST) What is a good time today? Get your answer only on Astroyogi. Baisakhi celebration is regarded as a significant and much-awaited occasion for various reasons. Aside from being a big harvest festival for farmers, this day is essential in the Sikh religion since it is associated with the founding of the Khalsa Panth. In Sikhism, Baisakhi is also seen as a celebration of brotherhood (Khalsa). Guru Gobind Singh declared that the Granth Sahib should be recognized as the Sikhs' immortal Guru. After that, he established the Khalsa Panth by selecting five brave leaders (Panj Pyare) who were willing to give their lives to save the people. He proclaimed the 'Panj Pyare' as the holiest of the holy. This is why the Sikhs celebrate the Baisakhi festival with great enthusiasm and delight. Bhai Daya Singh Bhai Dharam Singh Bhai Himmat Singh Bhai Mohkam Singh Bhai Sahib Singh Apart from Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists also observe Baisakhi. The auspicious day of Baisakhi is celebrated around the country in different ways, and they are often denoted by other names. The other versions of Baisakhi include 'Nobo Borsho', which is celebrated in West Bengal. In Assam, it is known as 'Rongali Bihu,' in Tamil Nadu as 'Puthandu,' in Bihar, it is known as 'Vaisakha,' and in Kerala, this occasion is known as 'Vishu.' These festivals are a variation of the Solar New Year festivities across various parts of India. This festival is meaningful for Hindus since, on this specific day in 1875, Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj. This particular Hindu sect has abandoned idol worship in favor of being devoted to the Vedas for heavenly supervision. Furthermore, the occasion is significant for Buddhists because it marks the day Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Simply put, the five Ks are the markers of Sikh identity. The Guru gave his new Khalsa an exclusive, indisputable, and distinct identity. Bana, the distinctive Sikh clothing and headdress, was given as a reward by the Guru. The Guru also presented five symbols of purity and bravery. All Sikhs who have been initiated into the Khalsa must wear these five physical symbols, which are Kangha (comb), Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (steel bangle), Kacchera (underwear), and Kirpan (sword). These symbols are considered incredibly powerful in Sikh history. The five Ks remind the Sikh community of their Sikh identity, which requires them to align their lives with the truth of 'Ik Onkar,' which means there is only one God or creator. The festival of Baisakhi, which is the beloved harvest festival, is observed by feasting, traditional dancing, fairs, and folk music. The Golden Temple, located in Amritsar, appears to be surrounded by a carnival. The Melas (Baisakhi fairs), which are a huge part of the celebration of Baisakhi, are held throughout the state of Punjab. Acrobatics, dancing performances, and wrestling matches are among the many exciting activities at Baisakhi fairs. Locals dress in traditional Vaisakhi attire and commemorate the occasion with dancing and singing. Vibrant traditional performances and Baisakhi processions are a part of the celebration. During the Baisakhi festival, devotees go to the Gurdwara in the morning to participate in the special prayers presented to the Almighty. Most people prefer to attend Gurudwara Anandpur Sahib in Anandpur, Punjab, or the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, on the occasion of the celebration of Baisakhi because the Khalsa Panth is pronounced there. The holy scripture of Sikhism, i.e., the Granth Sahib, is put on a Takht and read on the day of this harvest festival. Once the prayers and rituals are completed, the devotees are given 'Kada Prasad'. At around midday, the Granth Sahib is taken out for Nagar Kirtan, a kind of religious parade. During this religious parade, people pray to the Almighty by dancing and chanting sacred hymns as part of the Baisakhi celebration. On this day, people participate in Seva (service) by executing the Gurdwara's daily responsibilities. Helping others is seen as the classic manifestation of humanity in Sikhism. Check out this blog: Stylish & Protective: Why Everyone's Wearing The Evil Eye Bracelet? Vaisakhi is commemorated as follows: People get up early to attend special prayer services and prayer meetings at Gurudwaras. The sacred book, Guru Granth Sahib, is taken out and given a symbolic bath with water and milk. The sacred book is then carefully put on its special throne. It is then read aloud, with the audience at Gurudwaras paying close attention. In addition, once the verses are sung, specific holy nectar or Amrit, prepared in an iron vessel, is distributed to the worshippers. Devotees are supposed to drink the Amrit five times in a row, according to tradition. Devotees sing religious songs or Kirtans. The sacred book is ceremonially taken out in a procession. After Ardas, sweetened semolina is offered to the Guru for his blessings before being distributed to everyone. Finally, a Langar arrangement is carried out to celebrate the day. Traditional folk dances like the Gidda and Bhangra are performed on this mentioned above, the Baisakhi festival marks the initiation of the harvest season for Rabi crops. As a result, the auspicious day is commemorated with great zeal throughout the country. The festival of Baisakhi is specially celebrated in Punjab, where agriculture reigns as the main source of income. The Baisakhi celebration is a great occasion not only for Sikhs but also for people of other religions and areas. Join the Baisakhi crowd and enjoy a good time! So, as you now understand this magnificent event better, participate in Vaisakhi 2025 with meaningful intent.#Astrology
Al Jazeera
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi festival
Thousands of Sikhs were in Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India. Pakistani authorities this year granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years. Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship. The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born. Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 75 kilometers (46 miles) west of Lahore. Rinko Kaur traveled from India's western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan. 'My family warned me about going … and said I should be with a group to be safe,' Kaur said. But she said the people have been welcoming. 'I saw people coming out of their houses, waving as a welcome gesture. We feel as if we are celebrities,' said Kaur, who plans to visit other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days. Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Vaisakhi was a time of 'great joy for farmers.' The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Sharif added.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi festival
NANKANA SAHIB, Pakistan (AP) — Thousands of Sikhs were in Pakistan on Monday to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India. Pakistani authorities this year granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years. Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship. The main Vaisakhi ceremony was held in Nankana Sahib, where the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak, was born. Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of nine Sikh places of worship at Nankana Sahib, which is located some 75 kilometers (46 miles) west of Lahore. Rinko Kaur traveled from India's western Gujarat state, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is from. She said she was initially hesitant about visiting Pakistan. 'My family warned me about going ... and said I should be with a group to be safe,' Kaur said. But she said the people have been welcoming. 'I saw people coming out of their houses, waving as a welcome gesture. We feel as if we are celebrities,' said Kaur, who plans to visit other Sikh holy sites in Pakistan in the coming days. Many Sikh holy sites are located in Pakistan after the British partitioned the subcontinent into separate nations in 1947 following two centuries of colonial rule. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Vaisakhi was a time of 'great joy for farmers." The festival also encourages a spirit of hope, unity and renewal that inspires and unites communities, Sharif added.
Washington Post
14-04-2025
- Washington Post
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan to celebrate Vaisakhi festival
NANKANA SAHIB, Pakistan — Thousands of Sikhs were in Pakistan on Monday to celebrate Vaisakhi, a harvest festival that marks the start of the Sikh New Year and is mostly observed in Punjab and northern India. Pakistani authorities this year granted more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikhs, a higher number than previous years. Visas to travel between the two countries are normally difficult to obtain, but the governments have a special arrangement that allows pilgrims to visit shrines and places of worship.
