Apart from being a harvest festival, it holds a special significance in the Sikh community, because it commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa (pure) order for the Sikhs. In Punjab, major activities are concentrated on the prayers conducted in Gurudwaras - the Sikh place of worship. Apart from prayers in Gurudwara, Baisakhi is celebrated as an energetic festival in the open fields of Punjab, with the colorful performances of gidda and bhangra dancers.
"Tikhi Talwaar ne sanu Janam dita,
Gurti mile e Khande di Dhaar vichon",
Sikhi Sidak te sir Dastar Sohni,
Sada Vakhra e Roop Sansar Vichon".
On the occasion of Baisakhi, all the gurudwaras across India hold prayer meetings. Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book of Sikhs, is ceremonially taken out, symbolically bathed with milk and water and placed on its throne. The book is then read out to the congregation of the gurudwara. Thereafter, the five priests (panch pyare) chant verses from the Holy Book. After chanting of the verses, Amrita (holy nectar), prepared in an iron vessel, is distributed among the devotees. The devotees sip the amrita five time and take a vow to work for fellowship - the Khalsa Panth.
Loud Sikh chants such as 'Bole so nihal!' 'Deg teg fateh!' and rhythmic chants of 'Sat nam' and 'Wahe guru' ring out from the middle of the singing and drumming. Some men may wear the headgear (bana) of Guru Nanak, while others that of Guru Gobind Singh. At noon, the Karah Prasad or sweetened semolina is offered to the Guru to seek his blessings. Thereafter, the Prasad is distributed among the devotees gathered at the congregation. The ceremony culminates with a special guru-ka-lanmgar or the community lunch. People sit down in rows, with their heads covered, as volunteers serve them with vegetarian meal.
"TOORI tand saambh, haarhi vech vatt ke
Lambrhaan tey shaahaan da hisaab katt ke
meenhaan di udeek tey siyaarh kadh ke,
maal dhaanda saambhnay nu choohrha chhadd ke
pagg jhaggaa chaadra nawein siwaaye ke
sammaan vaali daang uttay teil laaye ke
kachhey maar wanjhli anand chhaa gya
maarda damaamay jatt mailay aa geya."
