Sikh Activist Kalyan Singh Shares Insights on Baisakhi Celebrations

Dr Saeed Ahmad Ali

Lahore: Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, stands as a significant festival in both Pakistani and Indian Punjab, along with various other regions in the two countries.

Falling on either April 13th or 14th annually, it heralds the commencement of the new solar year and the onset of the harvest season.

This festival holds deep cultural and religious importance, notably marking the inception of Sikhism as a collective faith in the year 1699. It is a time to reflect on peace and love, central themes within the Sikh tradition.

Professor Kalyan Singh, a respected figure in Pakistan known for his contributions to education and Sikh activism, highlights the customary observances associated with Vaisakhi. Sikhs typically visit Gurudwaras, revered places of worship, during this period. These Gurudwaras are adorned with special decorations to mark the occasion.

Additionally, vibrant parades and processions known as Nagar Kirtans are a common sight, with “Nagar” referring to town and “Kirtan” symbolizing the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism.

It’s noteworthy that the government of Punjab, Pakistan, has officially recognized the celebration of Baisakhi, underscoring its cultural significance.

This festival also coincides with the Punjabi New Year, where communities gather to commemorate the first harvest of the Rabi season. Farmers, in particular, offer prayers for a bountiful harvest and prosperity in the coming year.

On this day, Sikhs commemorate the founding of the Khalsa Panth by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, which holds great significance in Sikh tradition. According to Sikh beliefs, Baba Guru Nanak was inspired by a profound spiritual experience that granted him insight into the true nature of God.

During the celebrations of Vaisakhi, Sikhs engage in various spiritual meditations inspired by Baba Guru Nanak’s experiences, emphasizing the importance of introspection and virtuous living as pathways to spiritual growth, reflecting the divine presence within each individual.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, extended his greetings to the Sikh community on the occasion of Vaisakhi, highlighting the diversity of faiths and cultures in Pakistan and expressing appreciation for the vibrancy that Vaisakhi adds to this tapestry.

He assured that the Pakistani government, along with provincial authorities, would provide necessary facilities to Sikh pilgrims from around the world participating in Vaisakhi rituals.

The main event of the Vaisakhi religious festival, known as the Vaisakhi Mela, took place at Gurudwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal, attracting thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and other parts of the world.

This year, Pakistan granted visas to 2,843 Indian Sikh pilgrims, enabling them to partake in the festivities of the Vaisakhi Mela and the Khalsa Janam Din celebration.

Following their time in Hasanabdal, on April 15, the pilgrims will journey to Nankana Sahib, where they will honor Sacha Sauda (Farooqabad) during their visit. This will be followed by a trip to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur (Narowal) on April 18.

The pilgrimage will then proceed to Gurdwara Rodi/Rori Sahib (Eminabad) on April 20, where the pilgrims will spend a day in contemplation.The spiritual journey will conclude on April 22, as Sikh pilgrims bid farewell to Pakistan after their 10-day pilgrimage.

Sardar Ramesh Singh, head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and provincial minister for minority affairs in Punjab, emphasized the distinction between Baisakhi and Khalsa Janam Day.

He highlighted the historical significance of Baisakhi, recalling the establishment of the Sikh Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib in 1699. Pakistan is home to several Sikh religious sites, attracting thousands of followers annually to perform sacred rites.

Throughout the pilgrimage, processions with fervent religious zeal can be witnessed in Sikh holy places such as Nankana Sahib, Gurudwara Rodi Sahib (Eminabad), Kartarpur, and Punja Sahib (Hasan Abdal), as devotees fill the streets with reverence.

The local Muslim community also plays a role in honoring the great leader and assists Sikh pilgrims in adorning the passages with banners and decorations.