Baisakhi, also spelled Vaisakhi, is the festival which celebrates Sikh New Year and the founding of the Sikh community, known as the Khalsa.

The story of the foundation of the Khalsa started with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th Guru, who was publicly beheaded by Mughul rulers for protecting freedom of worship for both Sikhs and Hindus.

The son of Guru Teg Bahadur, who was called Guru Gobind Singh, became the next Guru. He stated that Sikhs should always be prepared to stand up for their beliefs, whatever the cost.

In 1699, Sikhs from all over the Punjab gathered together to celebrate the Hindu harvest festival of Baisakhi. Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword and requested that anyone prepared to give his life come forward.

A young Sikh came forward and disappeared into the tent with the Guru. Then the Guru reappeared alone with his sword covered in blood and asked for another volunteer. This was repeated another four times until a total of five Sikhs had gone into the tent with him. Everyone present was very worried until eventually all five emerged from the tent alive, with Guru Gobind Singh, and wearing turbans.

The five became known as the Panj Piare, or 'Beloved Five'. Guru Gobind Singh's wife mixed some amrit. The Guru said some prayers over the five and they were sprinkled with the amrit. This is how the Amrit ceremony came into being and these five Sikhs became the first members of the Khalsa.

Why is Baisakhi a time when Sikhs like to join the order of the Khalsa?
It is the anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh initiating the first five people into the Khalsa, so it is an appropriate time for Sikhs to follow their example and join the Sikh community.

Was there any other outward sign that the Khalsa Sikhs took on apart from adopting the Five Ks?
The men took on a common surname, Singh ('Lion'), a reminder to be courageous, which they still do to this day. Women take on the name Kaur ('Princess'), to emphasise dignity. It was then that the men started to wear turbans.

QCA Scheme of Work

Unit 8D: How do the beliefs of Sikhs affect their actions?
Section 1: What symbols are used in Sikhism?
Discuss the festival of Baisakhi and the Amrit ceremony. Look at the Five Ks, showing some Sikh artefacts, and ask students to discuss in groups what they might stand for. Then, as a class, ask them to report back, informing other groups of their meaning.

Unit 8F: What makes a Gurdwara special to Sikhs?
Section 5: What does it mean to belong to a community?
Discuss the ways in which religious people give to others as individuals or members of communities. In what ways are students, or people they know, involved in community work?

Full details of all QCA schemes of work can be found online at:
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes3/subjects/

BBC Religion and Ethics – Sikhism
A brief overview of Vaisakhi and its origins.

CBBC Newsround - Guides: Religious Festivals
This explains the history of Vaisakhi and how people celebrate it.

Radio 1’s One Life Guide to Sikhism
History, holidays, festivals and real life interviews about life and faith.

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire
Explores Vaisakhi and its relation to Khalsa.

The Sikh Network - The History of Baisakhi

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