Jamshedpur soaks in Baisakhi spirit, rituals performed at gurudwaras

Jamshedpur: The vibrant festival of Baisakhi, celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the Sikh community, brought the city to life as thousands of devotees gathered at gurudwaras, to participate in the traditional rituals and soak in the festive spirit.

The day started with the devotees flocking to the gurudwaras before dawn to offer prayers and seek blessings. The rhythmic sounds of the kirtan (spiritual hymns) filled the air as devotees sang and recited prayers in praise of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru.

The highlight of the Baisakhi celebrations was the ‘Akhand Path’, a continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. Devotees took turns to read from the Guru Granth Sahib, ensuring that the recitation continued uninterrupted throughout the day and night. It was a spiritually uplifting experience as the devotees immersed themselves in the sacred verses, seeking guidance and blessings for the year ahead.

The spirit of community service and selflessness, known as ‘seva’, was also evident during the Baisakhi celebrations. Devotees enthusiastically volunteered in various tasks, such as cleaning the premises of the Gurudwara, serving ‘langar’ (community meal), and providing assistance to the elderly and disabled.

Speaking about the significance of Baisakhi, Gurudev Singh, a devotee, said, “Baisakhi is not just a festival for Sikhs, but it holds immense spiritual and historical importance for us. It marks the formation of the Khalsa and symbolizes the spirit of sacrifice, unity, and righteousness.”

The Baisakhi festivities continued late into the evening, with the Gurudwara complex illuminated with lights and fireworks lighting up the night sky. Devotees exchanged greetings and sweets, spreading joy and happiness among each other.

Langars were organised after the keertan with a large number of people from all religions, including women and children, participating in the celebrations.

 ”I have come along with my family to see and seek blessings. Blessings of the Gurus is what we have come here for and in addition to this it also shows the solidarity of the Sikh community in striving for achieving the tenets of the Guru Granth Sahib,” said Jagjot Singh, a resident of Sakchi.

Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi as the day of the formation of the Khalsa (the pure one). On that day, in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh Guru) established the Khalsa and eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings are equal.