Vaisakhi

Sikhism is one of the world’s youngest religions being founded just over 500 years ago. It is a monotheistic religion, and the word ‘Sikh’ means ‘learner’.

Simran Kaur (She/her)

Graduate Data Scientist

Water Services: Operational Services

 

Why do Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi?

Vaisakhi is the festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa (“to be free from”). Its formation is a key event in the history of Sikhism. This year Vaisakhi was on the 13th of April 2021, and I wanted to write this article to shed some awareness on the history of this festival.

Sikhs believe God is one and has no form, gender, religion, or race. Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and Sikhs learn about God through his teachings. In April 1699, the first Khalsa panth was formed. ‘Panj Pyare’ or the ‘Beloved five’ were the first members of Khalsa. The purpose of Khalsa is to fight against any form of oppression, we should never sit silently but rather offer a helping hand or a listening ear wherever we can.

 

What do Panj pyare teach us?

The Panj pyare names reflect the Sikh values and teachings:

In line with these values, Khalsa was given royal names: Singh (males) and Kaur (Females) to eradicate any form of caste and hierarchy within society. Khalsa has no caste, no colour, and teaches to uphold freedom for all, ensure equality regardless of colour, creed, or sex, ensure food, clothing, health, and education for all. Hence, Vaisakhi is a significant day for Sikhs as it is the time when Sikhism was born as a collective faith.

 

How do Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi?

  • Vaisakhi is a spring festival which happens on the 13th or 14th of April every year.
  • On Vaisakhi, Sikhs visit the Gurdwara in the morning. Gurudwara is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs.
  • Gurudwaras have four doors known as the door of peace, the door of livelihood, the door of learning, and the door of grace. These four doors symbol that people from all four points of the compass are welcomed and anyone of any faith is welcomed.
  • There is a procession (called ‘Nagar Kirtan’) through the streets with lots of singing, chanting and colourful clothes.
  • In the evening, Sikhs have a meal with family and friends.
  • Vaisakhi was originally a harvest festival in the Punjab until it became Sikhism's most important festival.
  • In 2022, Vaisakhi will occur on Thursday 14th of April.