Vaisakhi

At Vaisakhi, Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa, the collective body of baptised Sikhs created in 1699. The word Khalsa means ‘pure’. To join the Khalsa, Sikhs must undergo the Amrit ceremony (initiation ceremony) sanctioned by Guru Gobind Singh. Baptised Sikhs resolve not to remove or cut any bodily hair, not to use tobacco, alcohol or other intoxicants, not to eat meat and not to commit adultery. It is also celebrated as a traditional harvest festival.

Who celebrates?

Sikhs around the world.

How do people celebrate?

• People visit their local visiting their local Gurdwara for worship
• They may also take part in parades and special processions called Nagar kirtans (town hymn singing)
• Songs are sung in Keertan(hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), listening to history sung in ballads, called Dhadi Vaarsand by sharing free food with all, called Langar
• Some Sikhs may also choose this date to be baptised and become part of the Khalsa.

What should I know?

• The festival is also celebrated in Hinduism, as it commemorates the start of the Solar new year
• Although a Gurdwara is a place of worship in Sikhism, people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to enter
• 0.8% of the UK identified with the Sikh religion in the 2011 census.

How can I support others?

• Ask people if they or their families will be celebrating – if they are you can wish them ‘Happy Vaisakhi’
• Do not assume that if someone’s family is Sikh that they will be celebrating
• Encourage celebrations internally and externally
• Talk to your team about the religious representation among your volunteer, employee and service user population and if it’s representative of your area.

Vaisakhi recipes: https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/baisakhi-recipes-vaishakhi-recipes/

BBC video: The story of Vaisakhi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010fqkd