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Sikhs
across Birmingham and the West Midlands will be rejoicing at the
creation of the Khalsa and the coming of Spring and Summer on the
14th April, Vaisakhi day.
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| The
Golden temple |
The
day not only signifies the beginning of the Sikh New Year, it also
commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth (nation) by Guru
Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. That singular act gave Sikhs a collective
identity and unity of purpose that remains intact to this day.
In
Amritsar, India, Sikhs will gather before dawn and make their way
to the Golden Temple, where they bathe in the sacred pool. These
activities continue till late in the evening.
Vaisakhi
day is most significant for Sikhs because of what occurred on that
day in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and last Guru, radically
changed the face of Sikhism. Facing violent opposition from Hindu
and Muslim neighbours, Sikhs had been unable to effectively spread
their message across Asia until the birth of Guru Gobind Singh.
Although
earlier Gurus had travelled great distances in order to spread the
message, Sikhism, for the most part, remained in the Punjab.
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| Guru
Gobind Singh ji |
On
Vaisakhi day thousands of people of all backgrounds gathered at
Anandpur to honour the call from Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The actual
day was 30th March 1699, but is now on the 13th or 14th April (calendar
adjusted).
He
spoke of the dangerous times they lived in and of a plan to strengthen
the community. Standing with a sword in his hand, the Guru asked
which Sikh in the congregation was willing to sacrifice his life
for his faith. No one stepped forward at first, but eventually one
man came forward and was led into a Guru's tent.
Moments
later, Guru Gobind Singh ji returned carrying a bloody sword. He
asked the same question again. Another man came forward and this
scene repeated itself three more times. A short while later, the
Guru walked out of the tent with the five men 'Panj Pyaras' who
were willing to offer their lives to dharma, their religion.
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| Panj
Pyaras |
The
'Five Beloved Ones' were all baptised at the same time from the
same bowl, proving to the congregation that everyone was equal.
They
became the first five members initiated into the Khalsa, or the
'Order of the Pure'. Guru Gobind Singh Ji then received initiation
from the five beloved ones, thus erasing all distinctions between
Guru and the Sikhs. T
Guru
Gobind Singh Ji gave his Khalsa a unique, distinctive identity,
thus giving the Sikh nation a 'Bana' - the distinctive Sikh clothing.
He adhered five symbols to the 'Bana' which are commonly known as
the 'Five K's':
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| The
Five K's |
Kesh - uncut hair
Karra:
the iron bracelet
Kangha: the wooden hair comb
Kirpan: the sword
Kachhehra:
the long underwear
The
purpose of this uniform was that no Sikh could hide behind the cowardice
acts of the past again.
As
all these events occured on Vaisakhi day, it has unique importance
for Sikhs from a religious point of view.
| Birmingham
celebrates Vaisakhi |
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| Celebrating
Vaisakhi |
Birmingham
hosts the second biggest Vaisakhi celebrations in the country. The
multi-cultural festival is open to everyone of all communities.
Every
year the day begins with a religious procession through the streets
of Birmingham congregating in Handsworth Park for a big Mela.
The
whole family can enjoy everything from Henna tattoos and face painting
to delicious food stalls and live music. Admission is free !!!
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