— SACRED TIME —

Vaisakhi

April 14 · Sikhism · Eastern traditions

Fixed date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh (1699) and the Punjabi harvest festival: the birth of a community of warrior-saints.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Nagar kirtan, procession with the Guru Granth Sahib
·48-hour continuous reading (Akhand Path)
·Voluntary service in the communal kitchen

Traditional foods

·Langar: free vegetarian meal for everyone
·Karah prasad

Offerings

·Service (seva) and donations to the communal kitchen

Taboos to respect

·No tobacco or alcohol
·Head must always be covered in sacred places

Associated symbols

Khanda · Turban · Nishan Sahib