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Devotees Throng Golden Temple, Gurdwaras Across Punjab & Haryana for Baisakhi

Thousands of devotees gathered at gurdwaras across Punjab and Haryana, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, to celebrate Baisakhi. The festival marks the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 and the beginning of the harvest season. Community kitchens (langars) were organized, and holy dips were taken in sarovars, while the day also holds significance as the anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Chief Ministers Bhagwant Mann and Nayab Singh Saini extended festive greetings, highlighting the day's spiritual and agricultural importance.

Key Points: Baisakhi Celebrations: Golden Temple Sees Devotees for Khalsa Day

  • Marks Khalsa Panth foundation day
  • Golden Temple decorated, holy dips taken
  • Day-long langars organized across gurdwaras
  • Also commemorates Rabi harvest & Jallianwala Bagh martyrs
  • Pilgrim jatha leaves for Pakistan's Panja Sahib
2 min read

Thousands of devotees converge in gurudwaras to celebrate Baisakhi in Punjab, Haryana

Thousands celebrate Baisakhi at gurdwaras in Punjab & Haryana, marking Khalsa Panth foundation & harvest season. CM Mann, Saini extend greetings.

"The Khalsa Panth... always inspires us to stand guard over righteousness and truth, and to serve humanity. - Bhagwant Mann"

Chandigarh, April 14

Hundreds of devotees on Tuesday thronged gurudwaras across Punjab and Haryana to celebrate Baisakhi, one of the biggest festivals that marks the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.

It also marks the start of harvest season. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of Sikhism's holiest shrines, was tastefully decorated, and a huge number of devotees came before dawn to offer prayers.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages gurudwaras in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, has deployed task force staff to manage crowds.

A sea of devotees was also witnessed at the Takht Kesgarh Sahib in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa Panth was founded in 1699.

Many consider taking the holy dip in the Golden Temple sarovar as significant to mark the day. Day-long langars (community kitchens) have been organised to mark the day.

Besides the Golden Temple, people took a holy dip in scores of historic gurudwaras across Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended greetings on Baisakhi and Sajna Diwas of Khalsa Panth. In a message, CM Mann said, "The Khalsa Panth, founded by the 10th guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh, always inspires us to stand guard over righteousness and truth, and to serve humanity."

The day also marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, a time for the farmers to reap the wheat crop.

This day marks a watershed moment in India's freedom movement in 1919, as many known and unsung martyrs sacrificed their lives on this day in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.

A jatha of pilgrims this week left for Gurudwara Sri Panja Sahib in Pakistan from Amritsar to participate in the religious congregation to be held to mark Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi).

In greetings, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, "May this sacred festival, filled with faith and joy, and bearing the message of prosperity and wellbeing for our farmers, infuse new energy, enthusiasm, and zeal into everyone's lives -- this is my heartfelt wish."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone from outside Punjab, I've always been fascinated by Baisakhi. The spirit of community service through langar is something the whole world can learn from. It's more than a religious festival; it's a celebration of harvest and sacrifice, remembering Jallianwala Bagh. Respect to all celebrating.
R
Rajesh Q
Great to see the celebrations! But a small note: the article mentions the SGPC managing crowds. I hope the arrangements for parking, water, and facilities for elderly devotees are truly adequate. Sometimes the sheer numbers lead to chaos. The spirit is always high, but management needs to match it.
P
Priya S
Baisakhi reminds us of our farmers' hard work. The Rabi harvest is so crucial for our nation. Wishing all our annadaatas a prosperous season. The message of Khalsa Panth to stand for truth is needed now more than ever. Happy Baisakhi to all! 🎉
A
Aman W
It's significant that pilgrims have gone to Panja Sahib in Pakistan. Such religious exchanges can build bridges of peace. The core of Baisakhi is universal brotherhood. May the teachings of the Gurus inspire everyone towards compassion and justice.
K
Kavya N
The historical weight of this day is immense. From the creation of the Khalsa to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre – it's a day of both divine inspiration and solemn remembrance. We must teach our children this complete history. Proud of our rich and resilient culture.

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