OP Sharma
One of the most hillarious festivals of India is Baisakhi celebrations connected with a number of customs and key occasions. Like other parts of the country, this joyful festival is celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir with fervour and gaiety on April 13 when the Indian solar calendar year commences. Then agricultural fields are ready for harvesting and the farmers celebrate it at the sight of bumper crops and in excitement hold fairs with lot of fun, music and dance.
In Jammu Baisakhi has traditionally been celebrated with gaiety and excitement over the years. A big fair is held every year on the bank of Ranbir canal in the City of Temples and in all other major towns and villages. Three-day Baisakhi fair at Devaka, Udhampur is very famous. Major attractions for the villagers in their colourful costumes , is numerous stalls, many joy- rides, fun games and some groups singing, folk songs as also beating up drums in the background. Fairs are also held at Purmandal, Utterbehni, Ramnagar, Basohli, Billawar, in the Nagbani Temple. In our boyhood we also attended and immensely enjoyed such fairs and festivals which are still fresh in our memory.
In Kashmir valley , Baisakhi is celebrated with rejoice and visits to temples , Gurudwaras and picnic spots including Mughal Gardens.
Baisakhi’s another important feature is that on this sacred day during the year 1699 at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur, the Great Guru Gobind Singh laid foundation of the Panth Khalsa, which is the Order of the Pure Ones. So the Sikh community hold celebrations on this auspicious day.
It is also commonly believed that goddess Ganga descended to earth and in her honour, many devotees gather on the sacred bank for bathing, worshiping and remembering the Supreme Lord. Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on Baisakhi, in 1875. Therefore, Baisakhi is as special for the Hindus, as it is for Sikhs. In April, this day marks the beginning of the Hindu solar New Year. In fact, this day is celebrated all over the country as New Year day, under different names.[citation needed.
Baisakhi Festival brings in more hues to the rich pageantry and since it is a New Year’s eve people wear their nicest costumes for singing and dancing to music .
Time for the celebration of the Baisakhi Fair:
In Kerala, the festival is called ‘Vishu’, in Assam, it is known as Bohag Bihu, and Naba Barsha or Pohela Boishakh in Bengal and Tripura. Pongal in Tamil Nadu the community organizes massive feasts, music, and dancing.
Baisakhi is widely celebrated by Sikhs in Western Punjab (Pakistan) as well, with festivities centered on the Panja Sahib complex in Hasan Abdal, numerous Gurudwaras in Nankana Sahib, and in various historical sites in Lahore.
For the celebration of Baisakhi this year, an elaborate plan has been drawn up at a high level official meeting.
This year special mega cultural events are being organized during Baisakhi Festival from April 13 to 15 in Jammu city, Akhnoor, Mansar , Surinsar and Billawar. As per the programme, Tourism Department has proposed Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jeo Potha River Front, Akhnoor, Mansar, Surinsar and Naj Ground Billawar as the main venues for holding varied cultural and other events.
The Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association has offered special discount during the festival. It is expected that the people will celebrate the sacred festival with deep sense and devotion praying for permanent peace, rapid all round progress and prosperity.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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