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Baisakhi is socio-religious festival for Punjabis, not only in Punjab but allover the world. This festival is
celebrated with great pomp and show by Punjabis wherever they are. In Punjab it has special significance as
during this season the crops are ready for harvesting, the food grains aplenty. Not only Punjab produces enough
food for consumption in this state but enough for the whole country. Baisakhi has become a season of rejoicing,
one of the most important days of the Sikh calendar. Punjabis evolved famous Bhangra dance during this time as
the farmer is happy to take his produce to market for which he had toiled for months in extreme winter and bad
weather.
Yet another reason of these celebrations is religious one, as on this day the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh had
created History during 1699 at Anandpur Sahib.
KHALSA (Pure) was born on this (Baisakhi) day. All Sikhs all over the World as birthday of Khalsa celebrate
this day. Sikhs have a glorious History and proud past of more than two centuries. Through these turbulent
times the followers of Sikhism got transformed in a great nation with exceptional History written in blood
and sacrifices.
Guru Nanak had envisioned serving the need of the times. It was the pious directive he got from Akal
Purakh (GOD) in response to the calls and prayers of the people to save them from the tyranny of the Moghul
invaders like Babur in those difficult times. After continuous attacks from the Middle East by invaders the
khatris who were responsible and supposed to fight and defend the country, had become exhausted and demoralized
because of frequent invasions and weak forces. The Moghuls used to come with forces in large numbers and
leave after looting the country. They used to kill the people and take away men as slaves and their women for
keeps and selling some of them. These invaders used to attack Hindu Mandirs especially because of lot of
Gold being available there through donations and women folk (young girls), which were donated to the temples
by their families being an old tradition. These women were called RAM JANIA and used to serve the
PUJARIS (priests) as demanded.
Guru Nanak was on the Holy mission to wake up the demoralized community and to set the social organizations in
order. He abolished the caste system and declared that all humans were children of one GOD. He advised all humans
without caste or creed to sit together, pray to One God and not to worship the idols or statues. He high lighted
three main principles of life KIRT KARO, VAND CHHAKO, NAAM JAPO.(work for living, share the meals and always
remember GOD) Through this practice LANGAR (free kitchen) was started so that any one on his journey could stop,
eat, take rest for the night and continue onward journey. This brought people together in those difficult times
when they needed help most. To make them fearless and meditate:
Bau cUkw inrBau hoie bsy ]
Fear is lifted, and one abides in fearlessness.(page287)
bha-o chookaa nirbha-o ho-ay basay.
He challenged the people that a life without honor is not worth eating even-
jy jIvY piq lQI jwie ]
those who merely live shall depart in dishonor; (Page 142)
jay jeevai pat lathee jaa-ay.
Guru Nanak even complained to God that how could He not have pity on those people who were exploited, distressed,
beaten up, hungry and crying for help?
Guru Nanak's evolution of Philosophy and transformation was carried forward by his successors-the nine Gurus. To
liberate people from the clutches of Brahminical rituals, the second Guru Angad evolved Gurmukhi script to write
and communicate in common man's language. Guru Amar das ji brought many social changes by asking all visitors to
take meals before coming to congregations and stopped the dreadful ritual of SATI (the wife used to burn herself
on pyre of husband). The fourth Guru Ramdas laid the foundation of city Amritsar for the Sikhs to expand business
for development of the community. The fifth Guru Arjan Dev provided the people their own place of worship,
Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar and their own religious scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib that contained the Bani of
the five Gurus and Hindu Bhagats and Muslim saints. People came closer socially and spiritually, filled with pride
and love. During these times a modern religion was getting evolved in the World. Every body had equal rights and
approach to The Gurus to seek their blessings and guidance. The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and later on of
Guru Teg Bahadar Ji and devoted Sikhs and warriors became the foundations for the people to be ready for their
self-defense and upliftment.
Guru Gobind Singh gave the wake up call to the Sikh community, which was spread across the country. A grand
congregation was held at Anadpur Sahib. The Guru with an unsheathed sword in his hand, had a declaration to make
before the great gathering from all over the country at Anandpur on Baisakhi Day in 1699. He asked the Sikhs for
supreme sacrifice of giving their life to the Guru. People were scared but one Sikh came forward. He was taken
inside the Shamiana (tent) by Guru ji. Guru ji came back time and again from the tent with blood dripping sword
to test their faith and ultimately five Sikhs offered their lives one after the other. The legendry story behind
this great incidence is that some people believe that Guru ji used to cut their heads and resurrected them, where
as some say that Guru ji used to cut the heads of goats. Any ways through this call and actions Guru ji created a
strong nation. And thus transformed humans were named KHALSA (the Pure ones) by him. He also declared that those
who have joined, their caste creed and generation are transformed, as they have become PURE. This was done to
test people's faith in him and their resolve to seek the ultimate freedom. Five of the Sikhs passed the test and
others were inspired enough to do the same. Guru Ji then initiated these five with Khande Di Pahaul (baptized) and
lovingly called them Panj Piarey (five beloved ones) and declared them Khalsa. Then he asked these five to
baptize him the same way. This made Guru Gobind Singh AAPEY GUR CHELA (Guru as well as disciple of five beloved
ones) All five were transformed, were given new names ending with last name 'Singh' (a lion) Guru Ji himself
became Gobind Singh from Gobind Rai. A dress code was also evolved with PUNJ KAKARS (five symbols as part of the
dress)
Thousands got baptized after that and became Khalsa. Each was given a sword to become Sipahi (soldier), Ladies
were given the last name of Kaur (the princess) and had equal status of Khalsa the SANT SIPAHI (Saint Soldier).
Guru Ji thus infused in them a new spirit of fearless warriors for righteousness, truth and justice who could not
only defend themselves but also protect the oppressed and other common people from the tyranny of the
rulers/invaders.
The History of Sikhism was written with blood and sacrifices. Banda Singh Bahadar, who came from south to north
after getting the Blessing of Guru Gobind Singh at Nanded, captured the states in North and established Khalsa Raj,
gave the land ownership to those who tilled it, minted the currency in the name of Gurus. Sikhs captured even Delhi.
On Baisakhi day at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) people throng in millions to celebrate and pay obeisance to their
Golden History. Sacred SHASTRAS (Swords, Hand guns, double edged swords, charkas, spears) and very special
arms used by Guru Gobind Singh ji and his Warriors are on display. Each one has its own unique history as
when and where it was used in battlefields. No doubt Sikhs are a proud nation, fearless, warriors, humble,
God fearing, just, exceptionally hard working under any circumstances any where in the world, enterprising,
adaptable, distinct identity with robust look and can be found working in any field with exceptional records
facing all odds to overachieve.
On this day the Punjabis are in their best of forms, enjoying themselves, remembering their glorious past and
resolve to move forward. Very important decisions are taken for development of the community and the man kind as
whole.
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