Outline How Vaisakhi Is Celebrated in the Gurdwara

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Outline how Vaisakhi is celebrated in the gurdwara and the local community and explain the significance of Vaisakhi for Sikhs (30 marks) Vaisakhi Festival is celebrated as the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth. The History of Vaisakhi traces its origin from the Vaisakhi Day celebrations of 1699 organised by the tenth guru, Guru Gobin Singh to form the Khalsa- brotherhood of saint soldiers to fight against tyranny and oppression. The celebration of Vaisakhi in the gurdwara is extremely significant it includes specific rituals and mass celebration to remember the formation of the Khalsa. Gurdwara’s are decorated and visited. Parades, dancing and singing happen throughout the day. Furthermore, the nishan sahib (the long flag outside the gurdwara) washed with yogurt and then replaced with a fresh flag, and the flag pole refurbished. Many Sikh’s choose to be baptised into the Khalsa brotherhood on this day, Guru Gobin Singh made the Khalsa with high significant as he stated “ and in whose heart the light of the perfect ones shines, - he is to be recognised as a pure member of the Khalsa”. Elections are held for members of the Khalsa and the Sikh Gurdwara committees. In addition political rallies and marches in the afternoon are held, to highlight injustice in the world. A march for the independence could also take place for Khalistan (a separate Sikh country). The Guru Granth Sahib will be read continuously for 48 hours, and in many places where there is a large population of Sikh’s the Guru Granth Sahib will be taken around the town on a lorry. Five men on horseback or foot- the panj pyare- carrying small nishan sahibs, will lead the procession. Children dressed as the panj pyare may follow them, and the Sikh crowd will sing to the accompaniment of musicians. This celebration is known as the nagar kirtan, it is gradually becoming a popular way of

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