Baisakhi 2022- Mesh Sankranti and much more to know

All of us irrespective of our religion disparities are familiar with the most popular spring harvest festival called Vaisakhi or Baisakhi. The festival is mainly celebrated in Punjab and marks the commencement of Sikh New Year. It is also observed with great zeal in various parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana or we can say in most regions of North India.  The festival is known by several names in several parts of the country like it is called ‘Naba Barsha’ (First Rain) in West Bengal, ‘Rongali Bihu’ in Assam,  Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu, ‘Vishu’ in Kerala and Vaishakha’ in Bihar‘. 

In the state of Punjab, this day marks the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of their community. Guru Gobind Singh ji is widely revered by the Sikh people and it is believed that he formed ‘Khalsa’ cult on the same date. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and special langars are organized in various Gurudwaras to pay reverence and celebrate Guru Gobing Singh ji’s birthday. The festival can be recognized with the names like Vaisakha Sankranti as well. This is a major form of spring festivity.

Also Read: The First major event of the year 2022 to bring you unexpected results!

Vaisakhi in the year 2022

It is a common practice to observe Baisakhi as the beginning period of a new harvesting season by the farmers. In the year 2022, the festival of Vaisakhi will be observed on 14th April with great enthusiasm all over India. 

History and Significance

Vaisakhi or vasant has great importance in Sikh community. As per the Sikh literature, it is the birthday of their tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who is taken as an epitome of brotherhood among masses. It also commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth in the year 1699. Khalsa means the symbolization of the five most adorable ones portrayed as panj pyare in Punjabi. Khalsa stands for a united figure of Sikhs or brotherhood amongst Sikhs. It is also called the Guru Panth, or the incarnation of a Guru. Some legends state that on this day, Guru Gobind Singh asked people to sacrifice their freedom for the Guru. To his request, only five men came forward and were later given the name of panj pyare in the Sikh Culture.

Astrological significance of Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is important from astrological point of view as the king of planetary cabinet i.e. the Sun enters its exaltation sign Aries, where it is considered the most powerful, on this day. The day is also called mesha sankranti for that reason. In the northern states of Haryana and Punjab, farmers celebrate it with much reverence and visit temples or gurudwaras to ask for divine blessings for good harvest. They also seek blessings from their agricultural land which they consider as mother and start harvesting their first crop of the season. As per Astrology, the Sun signifies wheat and since the Sun is in its exaltation sign where it is in the most powerful state farmers expect good harvest of wheat as a divine blessing of the Lord Sun. 

Vaisakhi date and time

• Vaishakhi: April 14, 2022, Thursday
• Vaishakhi Sankranti Moment: Morning 08:56 A.M.
• Mesha Sankranti: April 14, 2022, Thursday

Vaisakhi Celebrations across the country

• The festival of Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is observed with traditional customs and rituals all over the country. Mainly connected to the Sikh religion, people visit Gurudwara to seek divine blessings and render their services there in various tasks like cleaning, sweeping, moping, cooking, serving and maintaining code of conduct mandatory in all gurudwaras. For e.g. you have to cover your head for visiting a gurudwara etc. many people help or do sewa in preparing the most delicious lungar served in most of the gurudwaras. 
• The Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is considered as one of the most popular gurudwaras, people in count of millions visit there to offer their prayers and seek blessings.
• The day is also observed as a thanks giving day to the Almighty, by the farmers. They thank God for the wonderful harvest and beginning of a new season. In Bihar, people honor the Sun God this day in the name of mesha sankranti. Similarly, in Himachal Pradesh, devotees visit the Jwalamukhi Temple to take a holy dip in the natural hot spring water. The followers in Kashmir organize festive fairs and also ceremonial bath to celebrate the day. 
• In various gurudwaras, people turn up dressed in their traditional outfits along with their families to acknowledge this day. The lungar called Kada Prasad is served. This is a sumptuous offering made of atta and ghee.
• A significant ceremony called Awat Pauni is performed whereby people dance to dhol beats and harvest crops. They also sing several old folk songs. A religious procession called Nagar Kirtan is also carried out early morning. Sikhs recite chants from the sacred book, the Guru Granth Sahib. The procession is led by five Khalsa to symbolize  as Panj Pyare carrying the sacred book as a sign of respect.
• Sikh people get dressed in vibrant colors and perform Bhangra and Gidda, two main elements of their traditional dance style, during the procession.

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The festival gives message of sacrifices, emotions, unity and openness of Indian souls but above all it is a festival of brotherhood and all round prosperity. We wish you all a prosperous year ahead. Happy Baisakhi!