On 13th April 2010, the Sikh community celebrated the festival of the Sikh New Year – known as Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is always on the first day of the Vaisakh month of the Nanakshahi calendar. This celebration gives Sikhs the chance to remember the establishment of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. This day is of supreme importance to the Sikh community as it marks the time upon which Sikhs were given instructions on how to lead their lives and what is expected of them as followers. Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptised the very first Sikhs using Amrit, which is a type of sweet nectar from Amritsar.
Amritsar is the holy city of Sikhism, it was founded in 1577. Amritsar houses the Golden Temple, which was built by Arjan, the fifth Guru of the Sikhism in 1604. Amritsar means the tank of nectar or immortality. The Golden Temple is the main centre of Sikh devotion. Vaisakhi is a time for Sikhs to reflect upon the teachings of the Gurus and to also commemorate the birth of the Khalsa. The Khalsa instructs that followers of Sikhism must show dedication to fighting all forms of oppression. Every male who participates in the ceremony of the Khalsa is given the middle name Singh, which means lion whilst every female who engages in the ceremony is given the name Kaur, meaning princess.
Vaisakhi day is commemorated by street processions, with all participants congregating at their respective gurdwaras, the Sikh temple, before dawn. The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh holy flag, it is hung outside most gurdwaras. Nishan means symbol. The Nishan Sahib is taken down at every Vaisakhi, washed in milk and water, then replaced with a fresh flag.
Founder and President of the Sikh Forum International, Ranjit Singh OBE gave a message of peace and unity to Sikhs across the world, “My dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget the teachings of our religion which remind us to live in brotherhood and respect for one and other. I wish you nothing but peace and prosperity for the coming year.”
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