Vaisakhi Celebrations
EarthDiverse today celebrates the occasion of the important festival of Vaisakhi, which marks the first day of the Indian month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated throughout the Indian Subcontinent and in diaspora communities everywhere, as a celebration of spring harvest, primarily in Northern India. It is celebrated by both Sikhs and Hindus.
For Sikhs, in addition to its significance as the harvest festival, kirtans are sung and Gurdwaras are visited. Many hold community fairs, kirtan processions, raise the Nishan Sahib flag, and gather to socialise and share festive foods. Vaisakhi also observes major events in the history of Sikhism and the Indian subcontinent that happened in the Punjab region. Vaisakhi marks the birth of the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru in 1699. Later, Ranjit Singh was proclaimed as Maharaja of the Sikh Empire on 12 April 1801 (to coincide with Vaisakhi), creating a unified political state. Vaisakhi was also the day when Bengal Army officer Reginald Dyer orders his troops to shoot into a protesting crowd, an event which would come to be known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This incident proved influential to the history of the Indian independence movement.
For Hindus, Vaisakhi also marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh, celebrating the Spring harvest. Some also consider Vaisakhi to be the date for the Indian Solar New Year, while others consider the previous month of Chet as the date for the New Year.
Poll: Would you commute by public transport if it was free?
Using your car is convenient, except for finding parking.
Cycling lets you leave anytime, but you might arrive soaked.
So, neighbours, if public transport had the perk of being free, would it be your main way to commute?
-
67.6% Yes
-
29% No
-
3.4% Other - I'll share below
Who Can Solve It? Bet You Can’t Guess Today’s Answer!
Turn me on my side, and I am everything.
Cut me in half, and I am nothing.
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Loading…
