Vaisakhi ~ The Festival Of Punjab

Vaisakhi also spelled Baisakhi. When the tenth GURU of Sikhism named Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj the tenth guru, choose the day of Vaisakhi in 1699 as the day to convert the Sikhs into the Khalsa Panth, a family of soldier saints.

At Anandpur Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj established the Khalsa in front of eighty thousand people.

Guru Gobind Singh emerged from a tent with a sword during the Vaisakhi festival. He challenged any Sikh willing to lay down his life to enter the tent. With his sword soaked in blood, the Guru returned alone. He then asked for another volunteer and repeated the process four times more until all five men had vanished into the tent. The crowd was alarmed when they saw five men dressed in turbans return with the Guru.

The Panj Piare, or 'Beloved Five,' was the name given to this group of five persons.

The Guru then baptized the men into the Khalsa. He prayed over them and sprinkled them with Amrit (the Sikh word for holy water, which means "immortalizing nectar"). The Sikh baptism ceremony is built on this foundation.

Vaisakhi is observed in a similar manner to Gurpurbs. Gurdwaras are embellished and frequented. Throughout the day, there are parades, dancing, and music. On this day, many Sikhs chose to be baptized into the Khalsa brotherhood.

Kirtans in Nagar

The festival is marked by Nagar kirtan processions, which are important parts of Sikh culture and religious festivities and take place in the streets (Nagar means "town").

The singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, is known as kirtan. Music, singing, and chanting scriptures and hymns are often used in celebrations.

The processions are led by Panj Piaras in traditional garb.

The Guru Granth Sahib will be held in a special position during the procession.