From flying a kite to reading books, I’m sharing some fun ways you can celebrate celebrate and teach kids about Vaisakhi over at The South Asian Buzz.
Across Northern India and worldwide throughout the Punjabi community, people are preparing for the spring festival of Vaisakhi (also spelled by some as Baisakhi). India, in history has always been an agricultural country; therefore many of the cultural and religious holidays revolve around the harvesting seasons. Traditionally, Vaisakhi has been a “Thanksgiving” of sort for farming families, as the first crops of the year are harvested.
On Vaisakhi, Gurdwaras are decorated and hold kirtans, Sikhs visit and bathe in lakes or rivers before visiting local Gurdwaras. The days surrounding the celebrations community fairs and nagar kirtan processions are held, people gather to socialize and share festive foods. To the Sikh community, Vaisakhi has major religious importance as it marks the birth of the Khalsa. The Khalsa is the army of all initiated Sikhs represented by the five beloved-ones.
Growing up we would visit the Gurdwara the Sunday following Vaisakhi. I always find counting down and doing activities that revolve around a holiday/celebration gets my little one excited for what’s to come. How do you prepare for festivals?