Malaysia is well known as multiracial country in the world. There
are more than three races of its nation such as Malay, Indian and
Chinese as major races. Punjabi is also one of the races in Malaysia.
Punjabi is a unique race based on it faith, rituals, rites and its
festival. One of the festivals is known as Vaisakhi festival.
Vaisakhi also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi is a
festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent,
especially in the Punjab region
by the Sikh
community. More recently, this
festival is also celebrated around the world by Sikh
diaspora. For the Sikh
community this festival commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa.
It is also celebrated by Hindus
and Buddhist
for different reasons including
the start of a new year. People in the Punjab region
regard Vaisakhi as a harvest
festival.
Baisakhi or Vaisakhi Festival is celebrated as the Sikh New
Year and the Foundation Day of Khalsa Panth. History of Baisakhi
traces its origin from the Baisakhi Day celebrations of 1699
organized by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh to form Khalsa-
Brotherhood of Saint Soldier to fight against tyranny and
oppression.
Vaisakhi is celebrated as a harvest
festival by the large farming community in the states of Punjab and
Haryana. Since Vaisakhi falls in the middle of the month of April
(April 13), Vaisakhi marks the harvest time of the rabi (winter)
crops. Farmers are loaded with cash at this time and are in full mood
and spirit to enjoy the fruits of hard work as they celebrate
Vaisakhi. The auspicious festival of Baisakhi is celebrated on first
day of Vaisakh month (April-May) according to the Nanakshahi
calendar. Hence, the festival of Baisakhi is also popularly known as
Vaisakhi .
According to English Calendar,
Baisakhi falls on April 13 every year and on April 14 once in every
36 years. This variation in date is due to the fact that date of
Baisakhi is reckoned according to the Indian solar calendar and not
the lunar calendar. The date of Baisakhi festival has tremendous
significance in Sikhism.
Sikhs all over the world celebrate
the day with lot of enthusiasm and gaiety. Festival of Baisakhi is
celebrated as a Thanksgiving Day by the farmers. People wake up
early on the day and take bath in holy river and pay a visit to the
temple or gurdwara (Sikhworship place) and take part in special
prayer meeting. Farmers thank god for the bountiful harvest and pray
for good times in a coming year. Many people also perform charity on
the day as a custom. Vaisakhi marks the beginning of the new spring
year and the end of the harvest of rabi crop in India.The cries of
“Jatta aai Baisakhi" rent the skies as the people of Punjab
attired in their best clothes break into the Bhangra and Gidda dance
to express their joy. As a tradition men dress up in colourful
lungi, kurta and pagri while womenfolk clad themselves in salwar
kameez or lehenga. They further adorn themselves with loads of
jewellery. After a special ardas of kirtans (religious songs) and
discourses kada prasad (sweetened semolina) is distributed to the
congregation. Later, people sit in rows to relish the langar or
community lunch prepared and served by kar sevaks or volunteer.
In
Islamic perceptive, in order to show our gratitude toward the bounty
given by Allah, we have to worship Him and follow the Comandment and
Prohibition of Allah, not by visit the Gudwara and performing dance
as be doing by the Punjabis. Besides, Muslims are banned to join the
celebration of other religions. Muslims are forbidden to celebrate
Vaisakhi because it will lead us to shirk to Allah based on surah An-
Nahl verse 106. Allah said “Whose denies Allah after believing Him
save him who is compelled and his heart is firm in beliefs, yes whose
becomes infidel with open heart.Upon them is the wrath of Allah and
for them is the great torment”. In Vaisakhi, there are having open
dancing which are “bangra” and “giddha” that are involving
free mixing between men and women. Islam prevents free mingling
between male and female in any of our activity. Furthermore, Islam
command the Muslims to celebrate any festival in moderation way.
In conclusion, Punjab celebrated Vaisakhi as the Sikh
New Year and as a harvest festival on April 13. Vaisakhi is a unique
and important celebration for Punjab community. Vaisakhi is
celebrated with a happiness and enthusiasm by dancing and singing
between male and female to show a thanksgiving day. Men also dress up
in colourful lungi, and they adorn themselves with loads of
jewellery.
# Edited by Intan Dalili
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