Baisakhi is big day for Punjabi
The Indian festivals chapter celebrated especially, on New Year is not complete if I do not mention the most famous festival “Baisakhi” also known as Vaisakhi in some regions. Baisakhi not only denotes the New Year in northern part of India but also is famous for its agricultural importance. The fields of Punjab and in general all through the northern states where wheat is cultivated, are ready with ripe crop fill hearts of farmers with joy and they feel thankful for the generosity of Mother Nature with so much of her blessings. They express their gratitude to Mother Nature with Bhangra dances to the tune of drums and nature certainly rewards in shape of greenery all around dancing to their tune.
India is country of farmers
India is dependent mostly on its agricultural yields and Punjab is one of the states known for best yields allover the country where people are mostly dependent on agriculture and have the record of best harvesting in the country. The Baisakhi is the day when villagers of Punjab celebrate it as mark of respect to the nature that gave so much to them in shape of different crops ready to take home. This in fact is the most joyous time for farmers who get back the results for the hard work they did in the field whole past year. I would like to mention here that the second of the ten Gurus of Sikhs; Guru Angad Dev Ji who introduced Gurmukhi script by modifying old characters of the Punjabi script was also born in this very month.
Punjabi took Baisakhi to different corners of the world
This is the day when Panth Khalsa, the Sikhkhism was introduced to the world hence the day is all the more important for Punjabi. The Punjabi is not only a group of people but also a culture in itself. By the way, have any of you ever seen a Sikh beggar? Punjabi celebrates this festival with simple ways by attending morning prayers in Gurdwara the Sikh temples and enjoying in their own unique style of dancing the traditional Bhangra to the beats of big drums. The Sikhs have taken Baisakhi to allover the world as they are settled everywhere on the globe. The Canada in fact is now has so many Sikhs that on Baisakhi day you feel like as if you are somewhere in Punjab watching them celebrating the festival. Go to any country of Europe or any where in United States of America, you shall find Punjabi celebrating Baisakhi everywhere.
Baisakhi is common auspicious day for different communities
The beginning of the Baisakh is celebrated in different parts of the country as the Sindhi celebrate it for Lord Jhulelal whom the most respected god for them. Baisakhi the Hindu New Year that falls on the first day of holy month of Baisakh celebrated mostly on 13April in Punjab with much fanfare. The month of Baisakh is not only a festival but also a cluster of different other occasions to celebrate and be joyous. As we, all know that this month is important for almost every community in India. As per Purans, the creator Brahma had chosen this day to create this universe.
How different communities celebrate the day
This day marks the beginning of the nine sacred days when we worship different gods and goddesses known as Navratri festivals ending on 10th day at the occasion of Dashehra. This or the next day is celebrated in Bengal as Durga Pooja day when Bengali community all over the world celebrates it with their own unique ways of different cultural programs and Aarti in public functions. The Bengali ways of celebrations are real treat to watch. The Jains celebrate this day as Mahavir Jayanti, in Kerala this is known as Vishu, Yugadi in Karnataka, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Naba Barsha in Bengal, Navreh in Kashmir and Bihu in Assam. This article is not complete without the mention of Swami Dayanand Swarsati who founded no stone worshipping sect of Arya Samaj on this very day.