BLOG: Priya Rauli shares on the festival Vaisakhi.

I always loved Vaisakhi growing up; it was such a happy and joyful day for me and my family and continues to be today. Vaisakhi which is essentially the Sikh New Year is a day full of wonderful and elaborate tradition and is a celebration of our faith.

With the world becoming more multicultural than ever before, nothing is stopping us from understanding different cultures and today, I would like to speak about a festival which is dear to my heart and a meaningful part of my life.

“Everyone in the world is equal. All beings and creatures are His; He belongs to all.” – Guru Granth Sahib

But why was Khalsa created?

Following his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, being killed during the Mughal King Aurangzeb's Islamic sharia reign, Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa tradition. In 1699, religious oppression of the Sikh's and many other religions was common and the Khalsa was founded and started by Guru Gobind Singh as a warrior tasked with protecting the innocent against any religious oppression and also protecting all beings from any injustice, regardless of their faith, caste, or gender. 

How we celebrate Vaisakhi today

Sikhs begin Vaisakhi with a visit to the gurdwara, a place of worship. 

Golden Temple, Amritsar, India (left).

Havelock, Gurdwara

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall (SGSS) is a Sikh Gurdwara situated on Guru Nanak Road and Park Avenue, Southall, in the London Borough of Ealing. It is the largest Sikh temple in London. Building work at the Havelock Road site commenced in March 2000 and the gurdwara opened on Sunday 30 March 2003, in order to accommodate Southall's growing Sikh community. The Gurdwara cost £17.5 million to build and was funded by donations from members of the local Sikh community.

Naga Kirtan

After religious services are held, people begin a day of celebration. People wear colourful, traditional clothes as they take part in parades through the streets, also known as a Nagar Kirtan. There is lots of singing, dancing, and chanting of hymns.

There's also a lot of free food.

Giving out free food comes from a tradition called langar and Sikh’s volunteer to do seva (selfless service) on Vaisakhi. Everyone in the community, no matter how rich or poor they are, would come together and share a meal. The Sikh community also encourage people from all faiths or walks of life to join in on the festivities and have langar.

Sikhs doing Seva and serving langar - UK 2023 (left).

Makki ki Roti and Sarson Da Saag

It’s a traditional Punjabi dish made from mustard greens, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables, usually cooked with ginger, garlic, and green chilies. This Saag is enjoyed with a bread that’s called Makki Ki Roti, which is prepared with maize flour.

Meethe Chawal

This sweetened rice dish is prepared with fragrant basmati rice, saffron, dry fruits and jaggery. I remember my Grandad would eat pots and pots of Meethe Chawal, this comforting dish!

Sweet Lassi

Sweet Lassi is a refreshing and light drink made by churning together curd and sugar. It can be made by combining fruits like mango, which increases the flavour of the drink.  

Kesar Phirni

My personal favourite and what I call “happiness in a bowl”! Kesar Phirni is a delicious dessert that is often made and enjoyed during Vaisakhi in Punjab. It's a creamy rice pudding that's flavoured with saffron and garnished with nuts and raisins.

Chole Bhature

And finally, a family favourite, Chole Bhature. This indulgent dish is prepared by leavening all-purpose flour or maida to make the softest Bhature bread and making a spicy white chickpea curry to go with it, also known as Chole.