Sikhism Festivals

Sikhism is the youngest of all the world's four great monotheistic religions. This religion, was founded in the 15th Century by Guru Nanak. The word "Sikh" is Punjabi which mean "disciple". Sikhs are disciples of the religious Sikh Gurus. Today, there are 18-20 million Sikhs in the world, followed predominantly in the Indian State of Punjab.

The festivals unique to the Sikhs have little to do with worship of the divine. Instead, the events commemorate the milestones in the lives of the 10 gurus of the Sikhs and their teachings.The guru, or teacher, is the most important person in Sikhism, and is the means to gain union with God.



Baisakhi (Vaisakhi)

This was started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and is celebrated as the New Year Festival in the Sikh calendar which usually falls on the 13th April. The main event of this festival is the replacement of the Sikh flag called as 'Nishan Sahib'wth a new one. Followed by a service the nishan sahib along with its cloth called chola is removed and the flag post is cleaned and washed and then again a new chola is tied and hoisted by performing ardas.This is continued by reciting 'Akhand Path' for at least 48 hours without a break and then the closing ceremony or bhog is performed on the morning of Baisakhi.Cermons and singing of hymns are done by preachers. Children, men and women take part in various competitions that are held and also in Sewa.

Martyrdom anniversary

The martyrdom anniversary is celebrated in the month of May and has events like Kirtan, Katha, lectures, Karah Parshad and Langar in the Gurdwara in remembrance of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib who was tortured to death by Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor. On the eve of this martyrdom anniversary a drink made of milk, sugar and essence is distributed chill in Gurdwaras and to neighbors.

Jyototsava

It is one of the most sacred festivals of our Sikh brothers. Guru Nanak's birthday is celebrated on this occasion by lighting lamps and hence is called as Jyototsava.The festivity of Guru Parab falls on the full moon day of Kartika and is celebrated to commemorate Guru Nanak, the founder Guru of Sikhism. On this day, Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Scripture is continuously read and recited in the Gurudwaras, processions are taken out, free meals are arranged and Prasad is distributed. The festival is observed with great enthusiasm all over India.

Lohri

Lohri is one of the most famous festivals of the Sikhs and it occurs on the 13th day of January in the month of Paushr Magh a day before the famous festival of Hindus, Makar Sankranti. It is the time when the sun transits the zodiac sign Makar (Capricorn), and moves towards the north. This is a famous festival of Punjab and now celebrated in many bearing on agriculture and farming. The festivities include the boisterous Bhangra dance which ideally suits the occasion since its fast movements generate enough heat in the body to fight off the freezing cold and enjoy. On Lohri, dancers perform the Bhangra in a ring around fire. The fire is offered beaten rice, dry fruits, seaseme seeds and gajak by each individual. Then the fire becomes the diety of the occasion. Its special significance for the agriculturists culture is because Lohri marks the beginning of a new financial year because eon this day they settle the division of the products of the land between themselves and the tillers. This is particularly a happy occasion for the couples who for the first time celebrated Lohri after their marriage and also the first Lohri of the son born in a family. Children visit homes in the neighborhood and sing songs. Women folk remain much busier because they have also to participate in the Gidda dance. The youngsters indulge in a lot more acrobatics to the mesmerizing rhythm of dholak and nagara.

Diwali/Bandi Chod Divas

The day of Diwali, is celebrated as Bandi Chod Divas by the Sikhs in remembrance of the release of Guru Hargobind Singh from Gwalior Fort. The people celebrates this by lighting divas and lamps and going to a Gurdwara to listen to gurbani.On this day the golden temple at Amritsar is fully illuminated with lamps, lights and fireworks. Guru Amar Das institutionalized this as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings at Goindwal.They also have the display of the weapons which was used by Gurus and sweets are distributed to relatives and friends.

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