Friday, April 15, 2011

Baisakhi festival celebrated

Karachi

To mark the birth of the Khalsa order as part of the Baisakhi festival, men and women from the Sikh community gathered at the Sikh Sangat Gurdwara on Thursday night.

Baisakhi is one of the most important religious festivals in Sikhism and is celebrated to mark the genesis of the Khalsa brotherhood. According to traditions, five men sacrificed their lives for the 10th Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind, and were said to be the five Pyaray. Baptized Sikhs follow a strict life by wearing the five emblems of their religion: Kesh (unshorn hair), Kanga (wooden comb), Kara (bracelet), Kacheera (underpants) and Kirpan (dagger).

While the main festivities take place at the Panja Sahib Complex in Hasan Abdal, Punjab, the festival is also celebrated in Karachi with great enthusiasm and devotion.

At the Gurdwara in Ranchore Lines, devotees were seen listening attentively to the Head Granthi who recited verses from the Holy Scripture Guru Granth Sahib. Later, the Granthi made special prayers, Ardaas, and sang hymns Kirtan in honour of the 10th Guru and his followers.

“On this day, we all wear new clothes and come together to the Gurdwara to celebrate. Also, everyone makes an offering to the Guru by presenting one tenth of his earnings,” said middle-aged Bishan Singh

A believer, Rani, wished that she could attend the main festival in Punjab. “Thousands of people, including Yatrees from India, turn up there. I wish I get a chance to visit the place some day.”

Twelve-year-old Annie, who was playing with her friends in the courtyard of the place of worship, said that she had helped the elders to prepare food for Langar which was distributed after the prayers. Dressed in shimmery brown clothes with Mehendi on her palms, she said: “We get Sawab for doing the chores, and hence I peeled onions and tomatoes for the food.”

Biryani and Kheer was served as Langer. A devotee said due to gas shortage in the area, they were able to prepare only two items.

with thanks : thenews.com.pk : link above for detailed news.


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