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.
Wearing an orange turban, Haridyal Singh said this color was the symbol of Khalsa. “It is very difficult to be a Khalsa and not many youngsters are ready to become one. A sikh must have the five emblems all the time and also should stop eating meat and fish. This path is difficult but there is no compulsion in our religion to follow that. We all are devoted towards our religions,” he smiled.”
Keeping in view the security risk in the city, the festival was winded up earlier as compared to the past when festivities would continue till late in the night.
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