FESTIVALS
Sikh
festivals centre on the gurdwara. Two major festivals (Baisakhi and Divali)
celebrated by Sikhs are also observed by Hindus but for different reasons, due
to certain Guru's testing Sikhs' allegiance to their
religion.
Festivals
bring families and friends together meaning that the bond to Sikhism is strengthened,
which is precisely what the Gurus wanted to achieve.
Baisakhi
(or Vaisakhi)
- This
is the New Year festival celebrated on the first day of Baisakhi (March/April),
Its set date is April 13th
- It
is traditonally celebrated in the Punjab because it marks the end of the agricultural
cycle and the start of a new one
- Guru
Amar Das made it a day for visiting the Guru
- Guru
Gobind Singh further made this date important as this was the day he created
the Khalsa, as a result this day is popular for new members to become Khalsa-Sikhs
- 1999
was an important year for Sikhs as it marked th 300th anniversary of the Khalsa
Divali
- The
Festival of Light held on the day of the new moon (October/November)
- Sikhs
celebrate it because Guru Hargobind
was released from prison by the Mughal emperor. The Golden Temple is illuminated
for the occasion
- Hindus
celebrate it with the theme of material wealth
Hola
Mohalla
- Celebrated
by Sikhs alone. It is celebrated in March/April and is said to have been started
by Guru Gobind Singh to direct attention
of Sikhs away from a Hindu occasion
- It
was meant to be an opportunity for military exercise with mock battles being
fought
Rakhari
- Held
in late August; a sister ties a ribbon on her brother's wrist, in return he
gives her a gift or money and he promises to defend her honour throughout
his life
