Date:16/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/16/stories/2008041658550200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Baisakhi, a hoary tradition for all Sikhs

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Sikh community here celebrated Baisakhi on Monday with kirthans at the Gurudwara in Thevara by children followed by kirthans by Sadha Sanghad (citizens of Kochi) and finally rounded off with kirthans by ragi jatha, who were invited for the celebrations which started last week. Langar (free community kitchen) was held after the kirthans.

Birth of Khalsa

The festival is celebrated by the Sikhs to mark the birth of Khalsa.

It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh gave the gift of Panth Khalsa to all Sikhs. Hundreds had gathered on this day in 1699 to take the mission of preserving the religion.

Five selected

The legend goes that he selected five persons from the crowd who were ready to give their lives for the Guru and proclaimed them as Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) and gave them each a symbol known as the five Ks that the Sikh community carries till today.

The Kesh, Kara, Kirpan, Kangha and Kachera are the distinct Khalsa identity that the Guru gave the community to lead lives of courage, sacrifice and equality.