Punjab Festivals
Punjab is a classic example of the diversity and versatility of Indian
culture. This vibrant state has stayed true to its dynamic character
since ages. Soul-stirring celebrations and uninhibited fun characterize
any festive celebration in Punjab. While the state has several of its
own regional festivals, it celebrates and participates in the national
festivals with equal vigor and excitement. Punjabi festivals are a
beautiful embodiment of the robust and composite culture of India. The
enthralling festivals have a lively charm that keeps the celebrators
hooked to the Punjabi culture and way of life. Splendor and joy
exemplify the festivities of the state and makes one fall in love with
its inimitable cultural traits.
Just like other states of India, Punjab celebrates some diverse and
unique festivals every year. Each of these festivals has some or other
religious legends associated with it. Punjabi people believe in
celebrating any festive occasion to the hilt. So, every festival is
marked traditional songs, energetic dances, and delicious recipes. The
festive season of Punjab is just the ideal time to listen to the
renowned artists of the Indian subcontinent performing live. The
traditional music and folklore make for the perfect ambiance and
provides an opportunity to the celebrators to drench themselves in the
contagious spirit of this amazingly fascinating state. Let us explore
the major festivals of Punjab in detail.
Baisakhi Festival
Time: 13th April
Venue: All over Punjab
Significance: Harvest Festival
Highlights: Prayers in Gurdwara, Performance of bhangra and gidda
Baisakhi marks the beginning of "New Year "in Punjab. It is
celebrated to commemorate the ripening of winter (rabi) harvest and in
turn, honor the hard work of farmers. It is observed on 13th of April
every year and marks the time of festivities and gaiety among the
inhabitants of Punjab. Baisakhi is celebrated to show gratitude to The
Almighty, for blessing them with a bountiful harvest. On this day,
people take bath before the dawn and visit gurdwara to offer their
prayer. Kirtans and recital of passages from the Granth Sahib take
place in the gurdwaras. There is the distribution of the delicious kada
Prasad, followed by kar sewa. On the day of Baisakhi, Sun enters
Aries, the first sign of Zodiac.
Significance
The festival of Baisakhi has a religious connotation attached to it. On
the same date in the year 1699, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind
Singh, founded the Khalsa (the pure ones) and baptized the first Sikhs
using sweet nectar called "Amrit”. Khalsa symbolized the dawn of clear
identity on the Punjabis. They were given a code of conduct to live
by. The distinction between rich and poor was eliminated and equality
was proclaimed. So, Baisakhi recalls the great values preached and
practiced by the Gurus. Every year, on this day, the holy book of the
Sikhs 'Guru Granth Sahib’ is taken in a procession led by the 'Panj
Pyaras’ (five senior Sikhs), who are symbolic of the original leaders.
Celebration
Baisakhi is celebrated with great pomp and show in Punjab. Punjabis,
by nature, are merry-making people who love to dance and make merry at
any and every occasion. The festival gives them a great chance for
celebration. A major attraction of the festival is the dynamic bhangra
and gidda performances by men and women, respectively. Dancers perform
to the fast beat of drums, enacting the routine scene of sowing,
harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops. Cries of "Jatta aai
Baisakhi” fill the sky of Punjab. On this day, people teach their
children acts of charity and ask them to behold them forever. They
dress colorfully in the traditional dresses, with men wearing lungi,
kurta and pagri, while the women are clad in attractive salwar kameez
& jewelry.
As is usual with any other Indian festival, the house and surroundings
are cleaned on the day before Baisakhi as well. The festival provides
an occasion for friends and relatives to meet each other. Delicious
Punjabi dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, are prepared and
shared. Sweets (mithai) and lassi (curd beaten with water and sugar)
are the main delicacies of the day. Many fairs are also held during
Baisakhi, which invite a lot of tourists. There is a wide display of
traditional items as well as household goods, in the fairs. Also, there
are number of food stalls offering mouth-watering delicacies like chaat
(a spicy concoction), flossy sugar lollipops, ice-creams etc. Baisakhi
brings with it the note of fulfillment and happiness. It works as a
unifying factor, binding the people of the Punjab irrespective of their
caste, creed or sex. It is, indeed, the manifestation of true Punjabi
spirit.
Gurupurab Festival
Time: Different dates
Venue: All over Punjab
Significance: Birthday anniversary / Martyrdom of reverent Sikh Gurus
Highlights: Prayers and proceedings in Gurdwaras, Serving of Langar (free meal)
Punjab is a land of high devotion and theism. Sikh Gurus are highly
revered across the state. It is in the honor and respect of their gurus
only that Punjabis observe Gurpurab every year. Gurupurabs seek to
celebrate either the birthday or the martyrdom of the Sikh Gurus.
Though there are a number of guru purabs observed in Punjab, the two
major ones include Guru Nanak Gurpurab - falling in the month of Kartik
(October - November) and Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab - falling in the
month of Pausa (December - January). On all the gurpurabs, there is the
non-stop recital of the Granth Sahib and organization of religious
discourses. Langars (free meals) are served to one and all, with no
distinction of caste, creed or religion.
Proceedings
Generally, the same procedures are followed in every gurpurab. The only
difference is that the sermons are recited in accordance with the Guru
whose gurpurab is being celebrated. Two days before a gurpurab, Akhand
Paath is performed in the gurdwaras. The next day, a procession is
organized, which is led by the Panj Piare (five senior Sikhs) and the
Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib. There is a troop of singers,
brass band players, and Gatka (martial art) teams following the Panj
Piare and the Palki, while performing their skilled arts. They pass
through the main roads decorated for the day and during the procession,
the leaders deliver messages of the Guru.
On the day of guru purab, morning hymns (Asa-di-Var) and hymns from the
Sikh scriptures are recited early in the morning, at about 4.00-5.00
am. Then, there is a katha, which involves the explanation of the
scriptures followed, by the recitation in praise of the Guru. After
ardas and distribution of kadha prasad, the langar (free meal) is
served. Some gurdwaras also hold night prayers, which begin with rehras
(evening prayers) and continue with a kirtan late into the night. At
around 2 am, the function ends. Those who cannot attend the function for
some reason or another organize kirtan, path, ardas, karah prasad and
langar at home and observe gurpurab.
Guru Nanak Gurpurab
The first gurpurab is celebrated in the month of October-November, in
remembrance of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. It commemorates the
birthday of Guru Nanak. He was born on 15th April 1469 at Roi-Bhoi-di
Talwandi, in the present district of Shekhpura (Pakistan), now called
Nankena Sahib. The birthday of Guru Nanak falls on Kartik Purnamashi
i.e. full moon day of the month of Kartik. The date for the gurpurab is
selected as per the lunar Indian calendar and hence, it varies every
year.
Guru Gobind Singh Gurupurab
Sikhs commemorate the birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind
Singh as another major Gurupurab. Guru Gobind Singh was born at Patna
Sahib on 22nd December 1666. Every year, in the month of
December-January (decided as per the lunar calendar), the anniversary
of Guru Gobind Sigh is celebrated with great splendor.
Guru Arjan Gurupurab
The martyrdom day of Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, is celebrated as
an important gurpurab. It generally falls in the month of May or June.
As per legend, the great Guru was tortured to death at Lahore, under
the orders of Mughal Emporer Jahangir, on 25th May 1606. Apart from the
usual proceedings, a special sweetened drink made out of milk, sugar
and water, called chhabeel, is freely distributed on this day. Since
the festival falls in the hottest season, this drink proves helpful in
beating the heat.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurupurab
Every year, in the month of November, the martyrdom anniversary of Guru
Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru, is celebrated as gurpurab. He had
refused to change his religion and accept Islam, so he was beheaded by
Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. This event had taken place in Chandni Chowk,
Delhi, on 11th November 1675.
Holla Mohalla
Time: March
Venue: All over Punjab, especially Muktsar and Anandpur Sahib
Significance: Festival of armory
Highlights: Prayers and kirtans, Sports like mock sword and spear battles, Dance, music and poetry competitions
Holla Mohalla derives its name from the Punjabi word "Mohalla”,
meaning an organized procession in the form of an army column,
accompanied by war drums and standard -bearers. This festival is
celebrated in a spectacular manner in all parts of Punjab, especially in
Muktsar and Anandpur Sahib. Holla Mohalla is celebrated in the month
of March, one day after Holi. Holla Mohalla is celebrated for three
consecutive days. It is organized in a full-fledged manner in Anandpur,
at Holgarh Fort, every year. The celebration has been recognized by
the Govt. of India as a National Festival.
Origin
Holla Mohalla was started by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, on
1st March 1757, on Chet Vadi at Anandpur. It was organized in the form
of a procession, to ward off the gloomy struggle against the imperial
power, following the Battle of Ninnohgrah in 1700. Guru Sahib told his
Sikhs to wake up to their responsibility and duty as Akaal Purakh Ki
Fauj (the Army of the Almighty), to defend the truth and protect the
society. Since 1757, Holla Mohalla has become a popular event of the
state. It provides a unifying factor to all the Punjabis.
Celebrations
Holla Mohalla marks the New Year day, as per lunar Nanakshahi calendar
of Sikhs. The celebrations start with morning prayers, followed by the
ceremonious bathing of Guru Granth Sahib with milk and water. Then, it
is placed on a platform and venerated. Kirtans and recitation of
religious phrases goes on continuously. After this, kadha prasad is
distributed amongst people. People participate voluntarily in the
preparation and distribution of the prasad and in cleaning the utensils.
On Holla Mohalla, the pilgrims are also offered traditional langars
(free meals) by the sewadars (volunteers), as per the Sikh tradition.
On the last day of the festival, a long procession is led by the Panj
Pyaras. It starts from the Takth Keshargarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh
religious seats in the counrty, and passes through various important
gurdwaras, like Quila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib and Mata Jitoji and
terminates at the Takth. The festival is not only the time to rejoice,
but also to restore faith in the Khalsa Panth.
Attractions
A number of cultural attractions are organized during Holla Mohalla.
The Ninhang Sikhs, who are a part of the Sikh army founded by Guru
Gobind Singh, exhibit their martial arts through mock battles and sword
fights. They are dressed in most impressive dress - deep blue robes
with saffron girdles, high conical turbans decorated with steel rings,
flowing beards, and twisted moustaches, while carrying spears and
swords. Wrestling is another important attraction of the festival.
Several daring acts are displayed as well, like bareback horse riding,
standing erect on two speeding horses, tent pegging, etc.
Many sport competitions are held on Holla Mohalla, like kabaddi, weight
lifting, cycling, football, acrobatics and twisting an iron-rod by
placing it on Adam's apple. Various sports meet are organized, some of
the important ones being Kila Raipur Sports Meet, Kalgidar Tournament
of Kamalpur, Dhudike's Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Sports Fair, and so on.
Many local games are also enjoyed, like bull-fighting, cock-fighting
etc. Music, dance, and poetry programs enrich the cultural aspect of
the festival. Thus, Holla Mohalla is a festival of both religious as
well as cultural celebration.
People from all the communities irrespective of their caste, creed and sex participate in the festival whole-heartedly
Lohri
Time: January 13th
Venue: All over Punjab
Significance: Harvest Festival
Highlights: Prayer to Lord Agni, bonfire, Bhangra and Gidda dance, traditional feast
Lohri is the winter harvest festival of Punjab, celebrated widely
throughout the state. It is the festival of fertility and is associated
with the worship of the God of Fire (Lord Agni). According to the Hindu
calendar, Lohri falls on 13th January every year, at a time when the
earth is closest to the sun. It marks the end of winter, the last day
of Paush and the beginning of spring season. The festival provides the
perfect occasion to indulge in relaxation, after the hard toil of
winters. Around this time, the crops are harvested and gathered.
Legends
Lohri is associated with the tale of a Muslim dacoit, Dulla Bhatti. He
was a highway robber during the reign of Emperor Akbar. He robbed only
the rich and gave the money thus obtained to the poor. At the same
time, he rescued many Hindu girls from being sold in the slave market.
Within no time, he became a hero for the poor people, whose acts of
valor came to be sung in the Lohri songs. Lohri is celebrated to
express gratitude to this 'Robin hood’.
Origin
There are diverse views regarding the origin of the name "Lohri”. Some
believe it is derived from the name of Sant Kabir's wife Lohi, since
in rural Punjab, the festival is pronounced as such. Some others are of
the opinion that it comes from the word 'loh’, a thick iron sheet
(tawa) used to make chapattis for community feasts. Another opinion
runs that Holika and Lohri are sisters. While the former perished in
the Holi fire, the latter survived. Thus, the opinion differs about the
origin of the name "Lohri”.
Celebration
Lohri begins with children going from one house to another in the
morning, singing folk songs in praise of Dulla Bhatti. They are given
some sweets, gifts and occasionally money at every house they visit.
These collections are called Lohri and are distributed at night, with
some of the collections being offered to the sacred fire. In the
evening, people light the sacred bonfire. They go around the fire three
times, singing songs and offering popcorns, peanuts, rayveri and sweets
to the fire. Finally, a mixture of water and unboiled milk, called
kachhi lassi, is poured all around the fire. The offerings symbolize
their gratitude to Lord Agni, the God of Fire, for abundant crops.
After the ritual offerings are made, Punjabis perform bhangra and gidda
on the beat of the dhol (Indian drum), around the fire. They dance
till the fire subsides. People take dying embers of the fire to their
homes. Later, a prasad made out of til, peanuts, rayveri, puffed rice,
popcorn, moongphali, gajak and sweets is distributed. On Lohri, Punjabi
people wear colorful traditional clothes and actively participate in
singing and dancing. Mouth-watering traditional local delicacies rule
the day. The dinner after the puja consists of the famous makki ki roti
with sarsaon ki saag and rau di kheer, along with other items.
The joy of Lohri doubles in a family where a marriage had been
solemnized recently or a baby has been delivered in the recent past.
Such families generally organize a grand feast on the occasion,
inviting many people and preparing the most luscious of dishes. The
newborn child or the recently married couple is also made to
participate in the puja, as this is regarded as very auspicious. Lohri
is celebrated in many other parts of the country as well, though with
different names. It is called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam,
Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh and Sankranti in Karnataka, Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is the festival in which a sister ties the silk thread,
called 'rakhi’, on her brother's wrist. In return, he promises to
protect her from all the evils. The festival mark celebrates the love
between a brother and sister duo. Brothers also give sweets and other
gifts to their sisters, on this day. Rakhi symbolizes eternal
protection of the sister by the brother.
Dussehra
Dussehra is widely celebrated in all parts of Punjab, just like any other state of India. It marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, thereby symbolizing the eternal victory of Good over Evil.
Diwali
The festival of lights, Diwali is celebrated all across India and several other countries with a good population of Indians. It is a religious festival having significance in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.
In Punjab, the festival of Diwali is the time for everyone to be happy and look forward to a bright year. Throughout the state and country, one can witness beautiful lighting and people enjoying to the fullest. Diwali is among the most awaited festivals in Punjab and also marks the beginning of winters and sowing of new crops.
Significance of Diwali
Diwali is mainly celebrated to mark the homecoming of Lord Rama
after 14 years of exile. People also worship goddess Lakshmi the
goddess of wealth on Diwali.
Diwali is celebrated by Sikhs after Bandi Chor Divas. The Bandi Chor Divas signifies the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Guru from prison. Along with him, 52 kings were also released from the Gwalior fort. The guru reached Amritsar on Diwali hence making it a double celebration for the Sikhs.
The festival also marks the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh, the reader and keeper of the Guru Granth Sahib at the Golden Temple. Diwali became the second most important festival to be celebrated in Punjab as this was the day when Guru Gobind Singh established Khalsa. The celebration of Diwali signifies the victory of right over wrong and also lifting of divine darkness.
Date of Diwali
The festival is celebrated on Amavasya or the no moon day. Diwali usually falls in the English
months of October or November. The
celebrations last for five days starting with Dhanteras on the 13th day
of the Krishna Paksha of the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin and ending
on the second day of Shukla Paksha of the Hindu calendar month of
Kartik.Celebration of Diwali
The celebrations of Diwali commence almost 20 days before the main celebration. People start by cleaning their houses and painting their houses. Shopping for new clothes, traditional diyas, idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi begin prior to the actual celebrations.The festival of Diwali is celebrated over five days in Punjab. On the first day of the celebration, people observe the occasion of Dhanteras where they pray to Goddess Lakshmi for the well-being of their wealth. The second day marks the Choti Diwali and Roop Chaturdashi. The third day marks the Lakshmi Poojan and Bandi Chor Divas. The fifth day is celebrated as Bhai Dhooj.
On the day of Diwali, which is the third day of celebration people make rangolis (patterns made from coloured powder and flowers) in front of their houses. From evening people start their prayers and light oil lamps in the house and outside the house.
Women prepare traditional delicacies like gujias, dahi Baras, Gulab jamuns, pooris and several other items. Exchanging gifts, visiting relatives, getting blessings from elders are all parts of the celebrations of Diwali. Bursting firecrackers is the main attraction of Diwali. The skies are filled with various colours of crackers creating a beautiful scene.
Celebration by Farmers
Farmers decorate their cattle with different accessories and
worship them. The cows are given special respect because they are
thought to be an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi. The day of Diwali is
also when winter crops are sown by farmers. The day after Diwali is
celebrated as the Tikka day when sisters pray for the well-being of
their brothers and place saffron tikkas on the forehead of their
brothers.Diwali Fairs
Every city, town and village in Punjab celebrates the occasion with a lot of enthusiasm. Fairs are conducted across the state and are quite colourful. People can enjoy delicious foods, shop for various things and also enjoy various rides during these fairs.
Customs & Traditions
The customs and traditions followed during Diwali mainly include
lighting diyas, praying to goddess Lakshmi and preparing various food
delicacies.
Diwali Rituals at Gurudwaras
During Diwali, the Golden Temple is decorated with lights and diyas. The image of the temple in the
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