How are Sikhs celebrating Vaisakhi?

Around the world Sikhs are confined to their homes to support efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. At this time of year, Sikhs are normally taking part in the biggest public gatherings of the Sikh calendar for Vaisakhi, a celebration of the creation of the Khalsa. Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtans (Sikh religious processions) in some parts of the world can attract 100,000+ people, whilst Gurdwaras would usually be packed from morning to evening.

So how are Sikhs celebrating Vaisakhi this year? Read on to find out!
To learn more about Vaisakhi itself, click here> www.sikhpa.com/sikhvaisakhi.

NOTE- All Sikh individuals and groups were requested three weeks ago by the Akal Takht – the supreme Sikh body of authority – to remain home and not partake in big gatherings. Read more by clicking here.

#VirtualVaisakhi – Sikh practices online

“If you can’t go outside, Go inside!”

The main way Sikhs celebrate any occasion is to focus on connecting with GurBani (Guru’s word, referring to Sikh scripture). This can be done in different ways (kirtan – devotional music, simran – recitation meditation, paht – reading of GurBani, katha – discourse on GurBani) and all of these ways are at hand for Vaisakhi via the #VirtualVaisakhi movement!

World renowned educational Sikh outlet Basics of Sikhi have organised a five day program with all of these types of ways to connect to the words of the Sikh Gurus at hand. This includes livestreams of daily prayers, story telling and talks. See details below.

The Basics of Sikhi South East Asia team and the North America teams are also doing similar programs.

Another UK based group, Sikh 2 Inspire, have announced a full Vaisakhi day program, providing alternative times for options on learning and connecting with Sikhi.

Moving into North America, the Sikh Research Institute team will be starting Vaisakhi program livestreams from 8am (West Coast time), which can be viewed via their Facebook page here.

The Raj Academy have also organised a live kirtan session which will feature global participation from 9am (North America West Coast time). You can watch that here- https://vimeo.com/406754797.

The Digi Sangat group will also be livestreaming all day, including programs from Punjab directly. Learn more here.

US based group are holding a whole Vaisakhi week of online programs accessible for all (details below).

For those that may wish to read to learn rather than listen, this (click here) FREE Vaisakhi booklet by Akaal Publishers provides 12 pages of detailed information.

Seva for Vaisakhi

During this period everyone is staying home, the only Sikhs that will be out will be those carrying out seva (selfless service). Nevertheless, this is seen as something to be celebrated and recognised as a great reflection of what was given to the Sikhs on this day in 1699.

As such, a Virtual Vaisakhi fundraiser “to invoke the *SPIRIT of VAISAKHI* to raise financial support, resources and volunteers to support local food banks, seniors outreach, marginalised communities and domestic support services” has been organised. Learn more about it here.

Similarly, the BC Sikhs community group of British Columbia Canada are asking for people to come forward in the spirit of Vaisakhi to help their aid efforts across the province (details below).

Countless more groups across the world will also be maintaining their service to local communities by continuing to provide aid, usually in the form of langar (Sikh communal kitchen service). Keep an eye out on our Twitter as we share examples of their efforts!

How can kids get involved?

Make prashaad with your kids! Prashaad is a sacred Sikh food serving that is simple to make and a staple part of EVERY Sikh ceremony. Sikh Net have a video showing how to make it and how to get children involved in making it.

Sikh Net have also helped to create an animation made for children called Guru Teg Bahadur and the Magical Land.

Take part in the Khalsa Education Society competition! The Australian based organisation are asking children to take part in a competition reciting GurBani, a Sakhi (story on the Gurus) or Kavita (Sikh poem). See the details below.

Nanak Naam, the UK based Sikh educational charity, have created a five-day Vaisakhi challenge for children which will help them understand how something that happened 321 years ago still relates to them today. Continuing the theme of education, social media account Miss Kaur Humanities is giving away free info-graphics on Vaisakhi designed to be easy for children to take in. They are available to view here.

Finally, SHARE Charity UK have kindly released the Mata Sahib Kaur animated movie for children to watch during Vaisakhi too.

What else?

Led by Jathedar (head) of the organisation the call from the Akal Takht, the supreme authority body of the Sikhs, has been for Sikhs to display the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) out of their homes. Read more on this here.

* DISPLAY THE KHALSA FLAG FOR VAISAKHI! *

Sikh groups are encouraging all Sikhs to follow Akal Takht Jathedar (head) Jagtar Singh Hawara’s call to hoist the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) outside of homes this Vaisakhi when all are staying in.

Are you doing this? Share your pics! pic.twitter.com/4ahIRa0NfO

— SikhPressAssociation (@SikhPA) April 11, 2020

With this request in mind, Khalsa Foundation of the Khalsa Camp group have released a video on how to make your own Nishan Sahib, which you can watch here.

The ChardiKala Turban academy are asking people to “don a dastaar” and share pictures online. A dastaar (Sikh turban) is part of the standard Sikh physical identity.

13th April – celebrate Vaisakhi & Dastar Day at Home
੧੩ ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਿਦਵਸ

Tie a dastaar at home & share your picture
Tag us: @turbanacademy
With hashtag: #dastarday2020

The best Picture Wins A Prize

Please share with all our friends and family.#vaisakhiathome #turban pic.twitter.com/C3I60dOi7L

— Chardikala Turban Ac (@turbanacademy) April 12, 2020

The Nishkam Centre of the UK’s Nishkam group have put out a family oriented Vaisakhi activities card, which many will be using to find various ways to connect with the meaning of Vaisakhi whilst at home with family (see below).

SHARE Charity UK have shown an example of how to create the atmosphere of sadh sangat (holy Sikh congregation) without leaving your home in this soul-touching video (below).

Looking to keep up the warrior tradition surrounding Vaisakhi, the Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji Akhadha are asking Sikhs to send in videos of them performing gatka (Sikh weaponry martial art) which they will use for a compilation to release later this day.