Srinagar, Apr 13: The Sikh community celebrated Baisakhi with religious fervour and traditional enthusiasm across J&K on Saturday.
The spring festival witnessed a huge number of devotees thronging Guruduwars across Kashmir.
Public parks and other public places also witnessed a huge rush of locals.
Baisakhi festival marks the beginning of the solar year, and for the farming community of Punjab, it marks the time for the harvest of Rabi crops.
The largest gathering of devotees was witnessed at Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi, Kathi Darwaza, Rainawari in Srinagar downtown.
Scores of Sikh devotees were seen participating in Bajan Keertans and other religious activities.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said that the festival was celebrated with religious fervour across Kashmir.
“Special langars were organised at Chatti Padshahi in Srinagar and devotees spent time in Bhajans and Kirtans. People from across Kashmir visited Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi which witnessed a major religious function. The festival usually continues for two days and such gatherings will be held in north and south Kashmir on Sunday as well,” Raina said.
He said that the festival also holds significance for Sikh identity given to them by Sikh Gurus and the Holy Scripture.
He said like every festival, the entire community prayed for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and the entire world.
On the occasion of Baisakhi, a huge rush was witnessed at Mughal Gardens, Tulip Garden, and other parks.
People from the Sikh community were seen enjoying the festival with friends and families.
Every year, during the festival, Sikhs wake up early and visit Gurdwaras where langars or community feasts are arranged as part of charity on the day.
People also exchange greetings with friends, neighbours, and relatives.
Meanwhile, in north Kashmir, devotees from the Sikh community held religious gatherings at the Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi in Baramulla, Khawaja Bagh, and Paranpila in Uri.
Likewise, in south Kashmir, Baisakhi was celebrated at many places like Gurudwaras at Mattan, Singhpora, and Hutmora.
The day is of great significance to the Sikh community.
It is this day the Sikh religion was given a special identity.
It is on this occasion that the community received the identity of the Panj Kakar or 5 Ks which since then became a unique identity of Sikh appearance.
In Sikhism, the Five Ks are five items that the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times.
These are Kesh (unshorn hair and beard since the Sikh decided to keep it), Kangha (a comb for the Kesh, usually wooden), Kara (a bracelet, usually made of iron or steel), Kachera (an undergarment), and Kirpan (a small curved sword or knife made of iron or steel).