Baisakhi celebrations started in Punjab
Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Pakistan: Thousands of Sikhs from Indian Punjab arrived in Nankana Sahib to celebrate Baisakhi that is first day of Punjab year.
Baisakhi festival coincides with other festivals celebrated on the first day of Vaisakh, in some regions of the Indian Subcontinent such as Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year or Bohag Bihu of Assam or Puthandu, the Tamil New Year. Thousands of Sikhs came from Indian Punjab via Atari border to Lahore to celebrate this event at Nanka Sahib in Sheikupura distict.
Vaisakhi also known as Baisakhi, Beesakhi, Vaishakhi and Vasakhi. This festival is celebrated in the both sides of Punjab region on first day of Punjabi month of Baisakhi (that usually falls in April 13-14). Baisakh is first month of Punjab calendar. Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi as it marks the establishment of the Khalsa.
People in the Punjab Region regard Vaisakhi as a harvest festival and New Year and celebrations are seen in fields where farmers are preparing field for a wheat crop. This is beginning of summer season and end of spring in Punjab.
Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is a harvest festival for Punjabis related with nature and food. It may be mentioned that the Punjabi calendar is based on the Bikrami calendar and is used by all communities. Hindus use the Punjabi calendar as their religious calendar too. Fairs are organised on Vaisakhi day in Punjabi villages.
Baisakhi is regularly celebrated in Pakistani Punjab even after partition in 1947. This day is also observed as the thanksgiving day by the farmers whereby the farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for the future prosperity.
This event is especially celebrated by farmers irrespective of religious background in Kasur and Sheikhpura districts of Lahore division of Pakistani Punjab. Baisakhi Melas are established where traders sell and buy animals are also linked with Baisakhi celebrations.
“Baisakhi is our culture, our tradition. This is has nothing do to with any religion. Baba Guru Nanik also belongs to us. Our Punjabi brothers coming from Indian Punjab are not our guests rather they are brothers coming to celebrate our festival”, said 80 year old Muhammad Sabir from Kasur when he was asked to comment about Baisakhi.
