Friday, April 13, 2007

.:Happy Vaisakhi:.



Vaisakhi is one of the most colorful events in the Sikh calendar. It's a time when Punjabi farmers harvest their crops and most importantly, the day on which the city of Anandpur in Punjab saw the creation of the 'Khalsa' - The Pure Ones.

In 1699 on Vaisakhi (also written Baisakhi) Day, hundreds of thousands of people gathered around the divine temporal seat at Anandpur Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji addressed the congregants with a most stirring oration on his divine mission of restoring their faith and preserving the Sikh religion. He said that every great deed was preceded by equally great sacrifice.

Vaisakhi is the day on which the Sikh Nation - the Khalsa was born and Sikhs were given a clear identity and a code of conduct to live by. The event was led by the last living Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who baptised the first Sikhs using sweet nectar called Amrit. Around the world at Vaisakhi time, Sikhs reflect on the values taught to them by their Gurus and celebrate the birth of the Khalsa.

The message of Vaisakhi has particular relevance today in a multi-cultural and multi-faith society. Vaisakhi promotes friendship and mutual respect as the way forward. This is consistent with the command of Guru Gobind Singh Ji: Consider the whole of humanity as one, we are all children of the One God.




More:
Turban Day - Nirali Magazine
Turban Day - Sepia Mutiny
Wikipedia
Savory Sikh

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