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From Holi to Christmas  – Important festival dates in 2024

<ul><li>This year, <keyword id="6378646" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="baisakhi">Baisakhi</keyword> falls on April 13, which is a Monday. </li><li>The harvest festival of Baisakhi marks the beginning of the solar year. </li><li>One of the most important festivals in Punjab, Baisakhi holds a special significance for the Sikh community.</li></ul>On April 13, 2020, the whole of Punjab and many parts of Northern India will gear up to celebrate the harvest festival of Baisakhi. On this joyful day, the farmers offer their prayers in thanks for a bountiful harvest of the Rabi crop. Baisakhi is also significant as it marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth community three hundred years ago by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Across the country, people celebrate the Baisakhi festival with a lot of fun, merriment and enthusiasm. Baisakhi in Punjab Punjab observes a state-wide holiday on the day of Baisakhi. Schools, colleges and offices remain closed to allow people to celebrate the event. Friends, relatives and neighbours exchange gifts among themselves. Businesses and offices also give away gifts to their employees. With all the gift-giving, there’s usually a surge in shopping ahead of the festival. The shops announce their annual sale offers and heavy discounts are offered on a wide range of items. Even the hotels announce huge discounts to lure in visitors from other states and countries who have come to either participate or observe the celebration of Baisakhi. Baisakhi and Sikhs The Sikh community celebrates Baisakhi by paying homage at Gurdwaras. They distribute offerings like Kada Prasad — a type of semolina halva made with equal portions of whole-wheat flour, clarified butter, and sugar — among the family members and friends. The tradition of Baisakhi was started in 1699 when the Panj Piaras or the ‘beloved five’ were the first five men to be baptised as Sikh and Guru Gobind Singh laid down the Panth Khalsa — the Order of the Pure Ones — according to scripture. Five individuals are chosen to represent the Panj Piaras and lead religious processions organized in the cities and provinces. Kar Sewa — volunteering to help at Gurdwaras — is an important highlight of the day. This act is considered as the expression of the modesty. In Gurdwaras, we can find the recitation of some passages from Guru Granth Sahib, kirtans and traditional songs. Baisakhi and farmers Punjab is rich in agriculture. Since Baisakhi commemorates the harvest season of the Rabi crops, it is a significant event for the farmers in the region. This festival is observed as a day of thanksgiving to the gods and natural elements that facilitated a bountiful harvest. Farmers visit the temples and Gurdwaras on this day wearing new clothes. Baisakhi fairs, bhangra and gidda are performances are common during this time in the state of Punjab. Baisakhi for Hindus and Buddhists Baisakhi marks the beginning of the solar calendar. On this day, the Sun enters the Mesh Rashi, the first one among the twelve zodiac signs. Therefore, this festival is also called as Mesh Sankranti. The other versions of Baisakhi are 'Naba Barsha' of Bengal, 'Rongali Bihu' of Assam, ‘Puthandu’ of Tamil Nadu, ‘Vaishakha’ of Bihar, and 'Pooram Vishu' of Kerala. These are all the variations of the Solar New Year celebrations across different parts of the country. The festival is highly significant for Hindus as well as Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on this day in 1875. Baisakhi is a holy day for the Buddhists as they believe that Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism attained enlightenment or Nirvana on this day.

Know the significance of Baisakhi, the harvest festival of Punjab

May Waheguru bless you with growth, health, and peace on this festival of harvest. Celebrate Baisakhi with love and joy! On this Vaisakhi, let us pray it will be a year with new peace, new happiness, and an abundance of new friends. May God bless you throughout the coming season. Happy Vaisakhi! May God shower you with endless blessing, love, and happiness! <keyword id="6430900" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="happy-baisakhi" source="Orion">Happy Baisakhi</keyword> wishes to you and your family! Happy Birthday to Khalsa. A reminder to forever stand up, speak up, and fight against injustice. Happy Baisakhi! I convey my heartiest wishes to you and your family on the glorious occasion of Vaisakhi. May this be the beginning of a lucky year ahead! May you sing the song of happiness! May you blossom like the fresh beautiful flowers! May your each day make you stronger! I wish you always walk on the path of truthfulness Happy Baisakhi! Celebrate today and continue to celebrate in spirit every day the creation of the Khalsa. Happy Vaisakhi! May divine blessings shower on you and bring new hope, new joy and cheer. I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to all on this joyous Vaisakhi. May all your good deeds be accepted by Waahe Guru and may you never deviate from the right path. Happy Vaisakhi! Stand by truth and fight evil... May Guru’s blessings shower on us on this auspicious day...Happy Vaisakhi May the cheerful festival of Vaisakhi usher in good times and happiness that you so rightly deserve. Have a wonderful day. Happy Vaisakhi! Celebrate the joyous occasion of Vaisakhi with fun. Wishing you and your family a fun filled Vaisakhi and a prosperous year ahead. Happy Vaisakhi! I wish for you on Baisakhi, that all your wishes come true, may the Almighty accept all your wishes. May you get the best rewards for your benevolent deeds! Wishing that your life will be filled with the golden blessings of the Guru. Let his grace always shine on you and your family. On this joyous occasion, may Waheguru accept your hard word &amp; reward you a life full of success in your life. Happy Baisakhi!

Happy Baisakhi 2022 messages and wishes

The year 2014 is just two days old, marking the beginning of yet another <keyword id="89477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gregorian-calendar">Gregorian calendar</keyword> year. But revellers who painted the town red and want more party time need not lose heart. Officially, the year has taken off on January 1, but the regional variants of the New Year’s Day still prevail in a country like India – home to a colourful mélange of cultures and traditions. So we are yet to experience a spate of <keyword id="471694" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-Year-festivities">New Year festivities</keyword>, celebrated from <keyword id="6354495" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> to Kanyakumari, from the <keyword id="53478" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="North-East">north-east</keyword> to the western coast. 
 Interestingly, both the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and the previous <keyword id="89476" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Julian-calendar">Julian calendar</keyword> (first implemented by Julius Caesar in 46 BC) kick off on the same day – January 1. The Romans originally dedicated the first day of the year to Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings, and January, the first month of the year, was named after him. Later on, most nations in Western Europe officially started the New Year from January 1. The UK was a late adopter, though, and observed New Year’s Day on <keyword id="47282" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="march">March</keyword> 25, popularly known as Lady Day since it celebrated Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Annunciation. This practice stayed in England up to 1752. 
 Closer home, we have many time-reckoning systems but the most significant among them is the <keyword id="1998432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sakabda">Sakabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1998433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saka-calendar">Saka calendar</keyword>. It was introduced in 78 AD, most probably by the Kushan ruler Kanishka, and was even used in other countries such as Kampuchea and Indonesia. Another one is the popular <keyword id="1998435" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bangabda">Bangabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1282409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bengali-calendar">Bengali Calendar</keyword>, a <keyword id="1998436" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-calendar">solar calendar</keyword> started by Mughal emperor <keyword id="6363995" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Akbar">Akbar</keyword> in 1584 AD. Then there is the <keyword id="1998437" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hijri-New-Year">Hijri New Year</keyword>, also known as the <keyword id="1926173" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Islamic-new-year">Islamic New Year</keyword>, which started in 610 AD when <keyword id="6358086" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prophet-Muhammad">Prophet Muhammad</keyword> migrated from Mecca to <keyword id="89362" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Medina">Medina</keyword>. 
 With so many calendars around and so many regional New Year’s Days to celebrate, it’s time to soak in the traditional rituals once more, mostly observed during the months of <keyword id="368788" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitra">Chaitra</keyword> and <keyword id="1998439" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Baishakh">Baishakh</keyword> (March-April). Here’s a quick look at the key events. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="4349969" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navreh">Navreh</keyword> – Kashmir: Let us start with Navreh, the New Year’s Day in the <keyword id="911185" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lunar-calendar">lunar calendar</keyword> and observed on the <keyword id="1998440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shukla-Pratipada">Shukla Pratipada</keyword> (first day of the waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March-April). It is the <keyword id="1998441" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Oldest-New-Year-celebration">oldest New Year celebration</keyword>, and finds mention in historical works such as Nilamat Purana, <keyword id="1998443" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalhana">Kalhana</keyword>’s <keyword id="1998442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajtarangini">Rajtarangini</keyword> and Persian scholar <keyword id="1792427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Al-Biruni">Al-Biruni</keyword>’s writing. Each household prepares the ‘<keyword id="1998444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-thali">holi thali</keyword>’ with great care, containing food, flower and other essentials, and it is viewed at the dawn of Navreh while family members pray for <keyword id="6383453" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wealth">wealth</keyword>, knowledge and <keyword id="23119" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="good-luck">good luck</keyword>. From this day, <keyword id="1998445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nav-Durga-Puja">Nav Durga Puja</keyword> or <keyword id="31525" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navratra">Navratra</keyword> also begins in Kashmir and continues for 9 days. 
 
<keyword id="1296432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitti">Chaitti</keyword> – <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword>: In this hill state, the New Year’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra according to the <keyword id="1998446" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vikrami-calendar">Vikrami calendar</keyword> and festivals such as <keyword id="48284" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="navratri">Navratri</keyword> and <keyword id="1998448" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ralli-Puja">Ralli Puja</keyword> are held throughout the month in honour of Goddess Durga/Bhagwati. The month-long Ralli Puja ends in the marriage of Lord Shiva and the goddess as spinsters seek blessings of the divine duo for a spouse like Lord Shiva. 
 
<keyword id="42862" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ugadi">Ugadi</keyword> – <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>: It is celebrated on the same day as Navreh, in the month of Chaitra, and marks the beginning of the South Indian lunar year. People of these southern states believe that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this auspicious day. Houses are decorated with mango leaves and <keyword id="202308" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rangoli">rangoli</keyword> designs; Panchanga or the <keyword id="1998452" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Religious-almanac">religious almanac</keyword> is recited and puja offerings are made for a prosperous New Year. Ugadi <keyword id="758269" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pachadi">pachadi</keyword>, the traditional dish of six flavours made of <keyword id="6441002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="neem">neem</keyword>, <keyword id="137842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jaggery">jaggery</keyword> &amp; banana, salt, green chilli/pepper, tamarind juice and unripe mango, is also relished on this occasion to acknowledge six different aspects of life. 
 
<keyword id="608876" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gudhi-Padva">Gudhi Padva</keyword> – <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="826" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword>: Observed on the same day as Navreh and Ugadi (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), the New Year festivities in these states celebrate the bounty of Nature. Houses are decked up with rangoli and colourful gudhi – a bright-hued, embellished silk banner tied to a decorated <keyword id="1808323" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bamboo-pole">bamboo pole</keyword> and an upside down brass/silver pot fitted on the top. A day after Gudhi Padva, <keyword id="127745" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheti-Chand">Cheti Chand</keyword> or the <keyword id="610532" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sindhi-New-Year">Sindhi New Year</keyword> is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of <keyword id="1998458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishtadeva-Uderolal">Ishtadeva Uderolal</keyword> or <keyword id="987886" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jhulelal">Jhulelal</keyword>, the patron saint of the Sindhis. Lord Varuna, the water god, is also worshipped on this day, followed by <keyword id="6771793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="feasting">feasting</keyword> and <keyword id="240265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="devotional-music">devotional music</keyword>. 
 
Varuda Pirappu/Puthandu – <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword>: Held in mid-April, the <keyword id="6407830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-New-Year">Tamil New Year</keyword>’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, which is the first month of the traditional <keyword id="525554" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-calendar">Tamil calendar</keyword>. Just like Navreh, the day begins with <keyword id="1998464" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auspicious-sighting">auspicious sighting</keyword> or <keyword id="1009356" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="kanni">Kanni</keyword>, as people <keyword id="1873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Worship">worship</keyword> <keyword id="13726" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="rice">rice</keyword> &amp; farm products, <keyword id="119992" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="precious-metals">precious metals</keyword> and <keyword id="1246513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-clothes">new clothes</keyword>. Ritualistic patterns called kolams are drawn; traditional lamps or kuthu vilakkus are lighted and placed in the centre, and brass bowls known as niraikudums are filled with water to usher in <keyword id="73094" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prosperity">prosperity</keyword> and <keyword id="800742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="fulfillment">fulfillment</keyword>. It is followed by the <keyword id="1998469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Almanac-worship">almanac worship</keyword> called <keyword id="1998471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Panchanga-Puja">Panchanga Puja</keyword>. And the festive meal features pachadi, fruits and payasam or dessert. 
 
<keyword id="345699" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vishu">Vishu</keyword> – <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>: Vishu is the <keyword id="1010370" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Malayalam-New-Year">Malayalam New Year</keyword>’s Day, observed in Kerala on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. As in other South Indian states, auspicious sighting and other rituals are observed as part of the celebration; <keyword id="51941" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="firecrackers">firecrackers</keyword> are burst and an elaborate <keyword id="1998461" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Festive-lunch">festive lunch</keyword> called <keyword id="1998473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sadya">sadya</keyword> is served. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="1334751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Poila-Baishakh">Poila Baishakh</keyword> – <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>: The Bengali New Year’s Day is celebrated in the month of Baishakh (mostly on <keyword id="6364510" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="april">April</keyword> 14). Also known as <keyword id="989326" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Naba-Barsha">Naba Barsha</keyword>, <keyword id="27928" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lord-Ganesha">Lord Ganesha</keyword> and <keyword id="462664" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Lakshmi">Goddess Lakshmi</keyword>, deities of wealth, are worshipped on this day while businesses open fresh ledgers known as <keyword id="1998474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Haal-Khata">Haal Khata</keyword>. Feasting, festivities and <keyword id="6409104" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="cultural-programmes">cultural programmes</keyword> are the main attractions here. <keyword id="1998475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maithili-New-Year">Maithili New Year</keyword> <keyword id="1998426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Juri-Sheetal">Juri Sheetal</keyword> is also celebrated on this day. 
 
<keyword id="1998425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maha-Vishuva-Sankranti">Maha Vishuva Sankranti</keyword> – <keyword id="6357961" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Odisha">Odisha</keyword>: In neighbouring Odisha, the New Year’s Day is also known as <keyword id="1998476" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana-Sankranit">Pana Sankranit</keyword> or <keyword id="1998424" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jala-Sankranti">Jala Sankranti</keyword> or <keyword id="1998427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mesha-Sankranti">Mesha Sankranti</keyword> that marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar. Traditionally held on the first day of Baishakh (mid-April), a sweet drink called <keyword id="1998477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana">Pana</keyword> is made using fruits, card, milk, water and sugar/jaggery and bestowed as <keyword id="1998478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Puja-offering">puja offering</keyword>. People also drink Pana and water is offered to all, even to birds and animals, for a month. Throughout this period, <keyword id="1998479" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Hingula">Goddess Hingula</keyword> is worshipped for driving the evil away. Devotees often keep fast and perform penances as part of the rituals. 
 
Rongali/Bohag Bihu – <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword>: Held in the month of Baishakh (mid-April), this weeklong colourful and vibrant festival not only marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar, but also heralds the new agricultural season. As in all other states, pujas are offered to ensure a prosperous year ahead; <keyword id="974604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="festive-food">festive food</keyword> such as pitha and laru is made and shared, and young people get together to choose their life partners. Fairs are held; games are played, and the traditional <keyword id="1998481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihu-songs">Bihu songs</keyword> &amp; dances make it the perfect season for jollity and merriment. 
 
<keyword id="1998480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheiraoba">Cheiraoba</keyword> – <keyword id="6359754" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manipur">Manipur</keyword>: Moving further north-east, one gets to celebrate the Manipuri New Year Sajibu Cheiraoba in the month of April. Puja offerings, delicious food and festivities mark this occasion as well. In addition, locals climb the nearest hill tops, thus aspiring to rise to great heights in real life. 
 
Baisakhi/Vaisakhi – <keyword id="6354953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjab">Punjab</keyword>: Traditionally a <keyword id="404010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harvest-festival">harvest festival</keyword>, the <keyword id="1011009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi-New-Year">Punjabi New Year</keyword>’s Day is held on April 13/14 (the first day of the second month of the year, according to the Nanakshahi Calendar). It is a significant day for the <keyword id="81001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sikh-community">Sikh community</keyword> as well since they celebrate the day in honor of the 10th guru, <keyword id="138545" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Guru-Gobind-Singh">Guru Gobind Singh</keyword>, who did away with the <keyword id="6434481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Caste-System">caste system</keyword>. Otherwise, fun, food and <keyword id="1998485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Country-dances">country dances</keyword> like <keyword id="6920" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhangra">Bhangra</keyword> and <keyword id="465865" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="giddha">Giddha</keyword>, keeping time with the beats of dhols and drums, mark this occasion. 
 
<keyword id="585610" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bestu-Varas">Bestu Varas</keyword> – <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>: In certain parts of northern and western India, Diwali heralds the New Year and Gujarat is one of them. Bestu Varas is held a day after the Festival of Lights, in the month of <keyword id="6376330" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kartik">Kartik</keyword> (October-November) and houses are splendidly decked up with <keyword id="5823" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flowers">flowers</keyword>, rangoli and torans (door hangings). Pujas are offered; New Year <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> are everywhere and gifts are generously exchanged. And one must not forget the festive food either, especially the delectable and traditional snacks of Gujarat such as <keyword id="107294" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="farsan">farsan</keyword>. 
 
Images: Wikipedia

New Year Festivities
Not Over Yet; Here Is How India
Celebrates

Chandigarh, Apr 13 () Baisakhi festivities in the streets and rush of devotees in gurdwaras were missing across Punjab on Monday as people largely celebrated the festival indoors amid a curfew in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.Baisakhi is one of Punjab's biggest festivals and it marks the foundation day of the 'Khalsa Panth' (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. It also marks the start of harvest season.The Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of Sikhism's holiest shrines, saw very few devotees turn up to offer prayers.Normally, nearly two lakh devotees visit the Golden Temple on the occasion of Baisakhi.The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, has also deployed task force staff to discourage people from assembling.SGPC Chief Secretary Roop Singh said the committee has never stopped anyone from coming to the Golden Temple but one should not violate the government orders.Barricades have been put up at all roads leading to the Golden Temple to prevent overcrowding, a police official said.A similar scene was witnessed at the Takht Kesgarh Sahib in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa Panth was founded in 1699.Managements of several other gurdwaras across Punjab and state capital Chandigarh politely refused to let devotees inside. They appealed to them to offer prayers at homes and listen to 'Gurbani' by tuning in to their YouTube channels."In the morning, 'sangat' (devotees) came to pay obeisance but we requested them to offer prayers at their homes and also asked them to listen to 'kirtan' on our YouTube channel."We have shared a link of the video of 'kirtan' with devotees on our WhatsApp group," said an official of Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Chandigarh's Sector 34.He said normally, 60,000 to 70,000 devotees visit the shrine on Baisakhi every year."It is for the first time that we could not enter the gurdwara," a disappointed devotee said.The management of a gurdwara in Ludhiana said it will reach out to those on the frontlines of the fight against coronavirus on the occasion of Baisakhi."We will distribute 'langar' among frontline workers, including policemen and medical staff," a gurdwara official said.Earlier, the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) had asked members of the Sikh community to offer prayers at home on Baisakhi and directed Sikh organisations not to organise religious gatherings on the festival in the view of the COVID-19 outbreak.On Sunday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had also appealed to people not to step out of their homes on the occasion of Baisakhi. TEAM CHS VSD DIVDIV

Low-key Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab amid COVID-19 lockdown

Chandigarh, April 12 () Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder on Sunday appealed to the people of the state not to step out of their homes on Baisakhi, which will be celebrated on April 13, and follow the ongoing lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak. He also asked them to pray from their homes at 11 am on Monday for the state's victory over the deadly COVID-19 "enemy" and the safety of children. In a message on the eve of the festival, the chief minister said Baisakhi would be "different" this year as the celebrations will lack traditional fervour because people will not be able to venture out of their homes and gather in large congregations. It is necessary for all to stay at home in this difficult time and observe the occasion with prayers for the total elimination of COVID-19 from the state, he said in a statement here. "Let us pray to Waheguru (almighty) to keep us and our Punjab in Charhdi Kala, to keep us safe and happy always," urged the chief minister, pointing out that even the Akal Takht and SGPC had appealed to the people not to congregate or gather outside to celebrate Baisakhi this year. The Akal Takht had asked people from the Sikh community to offer prayers at home on Baisakhi and directed Sikh organisations not to organise large gatherings on the festival in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Baisakhi, which falls on April 13 or 14 every year, is a major festival in Punjab as it marks the foundation day of the Khalsa panth' (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. It also marks the start of harvest season. On this day, people throng gurdwaras to pay their obeisance. Expressing hope and confidence that Punjab would be victorious over the pandemic, Singh appealed to the people to do their duty in this battle, just as lakhs of frontline warriors were doing to keep them safe and protected. He thanked the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, other health and sanitation workers, the police, the revenue staff, the religious organisations, the NGOs and everyone else engaged in fighting the battle on the frontline, putting their own lives on the line. He thanked the SSPs and the DCs for managing the situation "effectively and efficiently", and expressed confidence that they would all continue to work relentlessly in the coming days in the interest of Punjab and its people. Pointing to the global COVID-19 crisis, the chief minister said the situation was relatively better in Punjab, and in fact across India, due to the early lockdown/curfew and its strict enforcement. It was important to continue with these stringent and difficult measures, despite the inconvenience and frustration being caused to everyone, he added. Underlining the need to continue with such strict restrictions, he cited various studies and expert opinions and said, "If we do not implement the lockdown in the coming days, then the situation can get out of control." The numbers being projected by the experts in the absence of isolation/lockdown are scary, he pointed out. Though, there were some problems with the supply chain at the beginning of the clampdown, things were now on track and would improve further in the coming days, said the CM, assuring full support to everyone in the state in this hour of crisis. He promised the migrant labourers and other poor/needy people that his government will continue to take care of them, and ensure that not a single one of them will go hungry, till the COVID crisis ends. Singh said all arrangements were in place for harvesting wheat which is set to commence on April 15 and promised another season of smooth procurement, in line with his government's track record. Underlining the need to give serious thought to the way ahead, the chief minister said the Task Force set up to work out the curfew/lockdown exit strategy will submit its report within 10 days, and a high-powered committee, to be headed by a leading finance expert, would work on ways for economic and industrial revival of the state post COVID-19. CHS VSD RHLRHL

COVID-19: Pb CM asks people to stay indoors on Baisakhi

Jammu, Apr 12 () The extensive work of desilting and deep cleaning of the main canals across the Jammu region is going on in full swing as authorities decided to delay the release of water into them by a fortnight after the coronavirus outbreak put a halt on the upcoming Baisakhi festival celebrations. The Jammu region has around 3,000-km vast network of canals under the major, medium and minor category alone, excluding the 'zamindari khuls' and field channels. Ranbir Canal, New Pratap Canal, Ranjan Canal, Tawi Lift Canal, Paragwal Canal, Kathua Canal and Ravi Canals are the main canal systems of the region, which provide irrigation to lakhs of farmers in 842 villages, irrigating over one lakh hectare area. These canals get filled with 'mulba' (silt) deposition, especially due to high silt content in the waters of Chenab, Tawi and Ravi rivers. Besides, the Irrigation and flood control (IFC) department also faces the challenge of illegal disposal of waste in the canals as a large part of the Ranbir canal crosses the Jammu city. "Over three lakh cubic metre of silt has been cleared from the major canals in the region so far. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has taken up an extensive exercise for clearing mulba from these canals in February," a spokesperson of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said. He said after assessing the ground situation in consultation with farmers' representatives, water user groups, Panchayati Raj Institution members and the agriculture department, the department has decided to postpone the release of water in the canals to the last week of April. "The department usually releases the waters in the Ranbir Canal and other irrigation canals of Jammu division on the eve of Baisakhi – April 13 or 14. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, no congregation is being organised this year and also due to no demand for water for irrigation, the release of water has been postponed," the spokesperson said. He said the field officers have reported that there is no requirement of water by the farmers at this stage, as during previous months there was adequate rainfall and no harvesting of crops has taken place so far. "The farmers may still take at least one to two weeks for harvesting the Rabi crop. Rather apprehension of damage to standing crops has been raised in case the water is released in the canals in April," the spokesperson said. He said the canals also require clearance of shrub growths for ensuring smooth flow of water during irrigation season for which the IFC department undertakes annual desilting of canals during February-April every year. During the current year, the department initiated many reforms to ensure deep cleaning of canals and ensure transparency in desilting work, the spokesperson said. "Earlier the whole work was fragmented into very small works and around 800 tenders were being floated. Unlike previous years' practice of taking small works, this year the contracts were clubbed to ensure transparency. PRIs and Municipal Committee members were involved for regular monitoring of the desilting works," he said.Besides the regular check and monitoring, the spokesman said, the municipal and panchayat authorities have also been asked to ensure diversion of drainage being disposed off in the canals and making proper garbage collection and disposal in the areas around the canals to prevent garbage dumping by people in canals."More than 1,500 notices have also been issued to various individuals and agencies for the dumping of household waste and garbage in the canals," he said. TAS AQSAQS

Massive desilting work on main canals going on across Jammu region amid lockdown

By Asim Kamal and Trisha Mukherjee New Delhi, Apr 21 () The 'happy birthdays' and 'congratulations' ring loud and clear, glasses clink to say cheers and the home-baked cake is often yum too. It's a party alright but a distinctly surreal one with family and friends reduced to little squares on screens, cheering the online celebrations along.So there's no one to smear cake on the birthday girl's face and promises instead of gifts as every guest -- not half as many as most party hoppers would like -- is kept at a 'you-can-see-but-can't-touch' distance, the party itself taking on a futuristic, other worldly quality to remember in a post coronavirus tomorrow.In middle and upper class homes, birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and even pre-wedding celebrations have gone virtual after March 25, when the pan India lockdown came into force. Reducing distances but also enhancing them, the shared parties are dependent, of course, on the partygoer's broadband connection or mobile data package. Mohammad Omar, a Masters student at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), who returned to India in March, had a 22nd birthday he will always remember.He said he was feeling really low on his birthday on April 3, but a video conference cheered him up."All my cousins and friends arranged a video conference which I was unaware of. My cousin who lives next door called me over and I was stunned to see my friends and cousins waiting at a video conference on her laptop," the 22-year-old from Ghaziabad said."They sang for me, we even danced on a few songs and I cut the cake baked by my mother, but missed being smeared with icing by my friends and cousins," he told .Children are also trying to wrap their heads around the strange birthday celebrations. Parents are struggling to explain to their children why a mega bash is not possible this year.Shahana Datta, who turned eight on April 7, missed her friends and cousins who would come to her Noida home every birthday, but could not make it this time."I felt very sad that I could not meet my friends and cousins on my birthday. But my mother made a cake for me and when I was cutting it, my cousins and friends joined in on a video call to sing for me," she told .Shahana said her mother has promised her many gifts "once coronavirus dies" and the lockdown is over.The young ones just can't figure out what the big deal about COVID-19 is.Neetu Thakur said her son Vedant was extremely upset on his seventh birthday on April 15 as he could not understand why his party couldn't happen in a mall or a banquet hall like every other year. "To cheer him up, I decorated the entire house with whatever material at hand, baked a cake for him and made him connect with his cousins and grandparents on video call," said Thakur, a resident of Srinivaspuri in Delhi."I bought two-three small gifts from nearby shops and promised my son that when the lockdown opens, I will buy his favourite toys and lots of other gifts," she told .The blues have hit other celebrations too. I H Rehman, an environment expert who lives in Ghaziabad, said his 24th marriage anniversary on April 15 was a sombre affair with a quiet dinner and a home-baked cake.The 53-year-old said he has promised to buy his wife a "big gift" once the lockdown is lifted. In a non-coronavirus year, Anindya Basu and his family would have rung in the Bengali New Year by going out for a series of feasts with friends and relatives in town. But the plans had to be tweaked this year. "This year, we spent a formidable amount of time calling up all the relatives and wishing them. The kids dressed up in new clothes, and were made to sit down for a detailed lesson on the significance of the day in our culture, after which we treated ourselves to a homemade gala lunch," the Kolkata-based Basu said.Basu and his wife Madhushree, both foodies, whipped up an exquisite menu comprising quintessential Bengali delicacies like 'ghee bhaat' (rice served with clarified butter) and 'katla maccher kalia' (Catla fish curry). Many others also took to Twitter to share how they are celebrating various special occasions.Prometheus School in Noida hosted a special morning assembly to celebrate Baisakhi, the harvest festival.In an online video chat, students and teachers dressed up in traditional attire and shook a leg to some Punjabi music tracks. A couple had to postpone their wedding due to the lockdown. However, they shared a post on how their friends threw them a virtual sangeet party to make the day memorable. "Our friends threw us a 'BawaMani' Virtual Sangeet Party since our wedding couldn't take place this weekend! Our hearts are full of love for these bums who made our day," the bride tweeted.Theatre actor Dipali Bhasin's family chalked out an extensive itinerary for her "quarantine birthday", a picture of which she shared on Twitter.It started with "breakfast in bed", and had activities like "movie viewing", "free/nap time", "cocktail hour", "dinner" and a "surprise at 6", she said.Extraordinary times sometimes call for extraordinary gestures.Like this one from police in Punjab's Mansa district which delivered a cake at the doorstep of a one-year-old. The warm gesture of the police personnel won many hearts and left the parents of the girl elated.There are also some who just can't stick to online. A man in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district demonstrated birthday over enthusiasm when he defied the lockdown with a big party on his 10-year-olld son's birthday.A case has been registered against the man, who is a trader, and some unidentified persons after a video of the event went viral on social media, according to the police.Till such time when the shadow of the pandemic vanishes, "Happy birthday to you" on video may just become the new normal – for connected India. ASK/TRS MIN MINMIN

Celebrations under lockdown: All about distances, home-baked cakes and promises instead of giftsCelebrations under lockdown: About distances, home-baked cakes and promises instead of gifts

By Asim Kamal and Trisha Mukherjee(Eds: Removing extra line from headline) New Delhi, Apr 21 () The 'happy birthdays' and 'congratulations' ring loud and clear, glasses clink to say cheers and the home-baked cake is often yum too. It's a party alright but a distinctly surreal one with family and friends reduced to little squares on screens, cheering the online celebrations along.So there's no one to smear cake on the birthday girl's face and promises instead of gifts as every guest -- not half as many as most party hoppers would like -- is kept at a 'you-can-see-but-can't-touch' distance, the party itself taking on a futuristic, other worldly quality to remember in a post coronavirus tomorrow.In middle and upper class homes, birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and even pre-wedding celebrations have gone virtual after March 25, when the pan India lockdown came into force. Reducing distances but also enhancing them, the shared parties are dependent, of course, on the partygoer's broadband connection or mobile data package. Mohammad Omar, a Masters student at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), who returned to India in March, had a 22nd birthday he will always remember.He said he was feeling really low on his birthday on April 3, but a video conference cheered him up."All my cousins and friends arranged a video conference which I was unaware of. My cousin who lives next door called me over and I was stunned to see my friends and cousins waiting at a video conference on her laptop," the 22-year-old from Ghaziabad said."They sang for me, we even danced on a few songs and I cut the cake baked by my mother, but missed being smeared with icing by my friends and cousins," he told .Children are also trying to wrap their heads around the strange birthday celebrations. Parents are struggling to explain to their children why a mega bash is not possible this year.Shahana Datta, who turned eight on April 7, missed her friends and cousins who would come to her Noida home every birthday, but could not make it this time."I felt very sad that I could not meet my friends and cousins on my birthday. But my mother made a cake for me and when I was cutting it, my cousins and friends joined in on a video call to sing for me," she told .Shahana said her mother has promised her many gifts "once coronavirus dies" and the lockdown is over.The young ones just can't figure out what the big deal about COVID-19 is.Neetu Thakur said her son Vedant was extremely upset on his seventh birthday on April 15 as he could not understand why his party couldn't happen in a mall or a banquet hall like every other year. "To cheer him up, I decorated the entire house with whatever material at hand, baked a cake for him and made him connect with his cousins and grandparents on video call," said Thakur, a resident of Srinivaspuri in Delhi."I bought two-three small gifts from nearby shops and promised my son that when the lockdown opens, I will buy his favourite toys and lots of other gifts," she told .The blues have hit other celebrations too. I H Rehman, an environment expert who lives in Ghaziabad, said his 24th marriage anniversary on April 15 was a sombre affair with a quiet dinner and a home-baked cake.The 53-year-old said he has promised to buy his wife a "big gift" once the lockdown is lifted. In a non-coronavirus year, Anindya Basu and his family would have rung in the Bengali New Year by going out for a series of feasts with friends and relatives in town. But the plans had to be tweaked this year. "This year, we spent a formidable amount of time calling up all the relatives and wishing them. The kids dressed up in new clothes, and were made to sit down for a detailed lesson on the significance of the day in our culture, after which we treated ourselves to a homemade gala lunch," the Kolkata-based Basu said.Basu and his wife Madhushree, both foodies, whipped up an exquisite menu comprising quintessential Bengali delicacies like 'ghee bhaat' (rice served with clarified butter) and 'katla maccher kalia' (Catla fish curry). Many others also took to Twitter to share how they are celebrating various special occasions.Prometheus School in Noida hosted a special morning assembly to celebrate Baisakhi, the harvest festival.In an online video chat, students and teachers dressed up in traditional attire and shook a leg to some Punjabi music tracks. A couple had to postpone their wedding due to the lockdown. However, they shared a post on how their friends threw them a virtual sangeet party to make the day memorable. "Our friends threw us a 'BawaMani' Virtual Sangeet Party since our wedding couldn't take place this weekend! Our hearts are full of love for these bums who made our day," the bride tweeted.Theatre actor Dipali Bhasin's family chalked out an extensive itinerary for her "quarantine birthday", a picture of which she shared on Twitter.It started with "breakfast in bed", and had activities like "movie viewing", "free/nap time", "cocktail hour", "dinner" and a "surprise at 6", she said.Extraordinary times sometimes call for extraordinary gestures.Like this one from police in Punjab's Mansa district which delivered a cake at the doorstep of a one-year-old. The warm gesture of the police personnel won many hearts and left the parents of the girl elated.There are also some who just can't stick to online. A man in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district demonstrated birthday over enthusiasm when he defied the lockdown with a big party on his 10-year-olld son's birthday.A case has been registered against the man, who is a trader, and some unidentified persons after a video of the event went viral on social media, according to the police.Till such time when the shadow of the pandemic vanishes, "Happy birthday to you" on video may just become the new normal – for connected India. ASK/TRS MIN MINMINMIN

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