Vaisakhi:---

Vaisakhi marks the Punjabi New Year and the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab, India.Vaisakhi falls in the Nanakshahi calendar on the first day of Vaisakh month and marks the sun entering Mesha Rasi (this fact is called Mesha Sankranti). Vaisakhi is therefore determined by the solar calendar. Vaisakhi usually falls on April 13, and on April 14 once every thirty-six years.It coincides with Rongali Bihu in Assam, Naba Barsha in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala, and the Sinhala/Tamil new year festival in Sri Lanka.Vaisakhi in SikhismGuru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs founded the Akal Khalsa (Community of the Pure) at the Baisakhi gathering in 1699, at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur. Guru Gobind Singh, had organised for followers from all over India to meet him at the Basakhi Fair in Anandpur.Guru Gobind Singh emerged from a tent with a sword, and asked for volunteers to offer his life for his faith. A young Sikh volunteered, followed the Guru into a tent. Shortly after, the Guru reappeared alone with his sword covered with blood, and asked for a second volunteer. Another Sikh stepped forward and again the Guru took him into the tent, and re-appeared alone, his sword covered in more blood. This was repeated for a third, fourth and fifth volunteer. The crowd became very unnerved, as many believed that the Guru had killed the five Sikhs. He soon came out of the tent again, this time followed by all five Sikhs who were alive and well and dressed in turbans and other symbols that have since become symbols of Sikh identity. He called the five Sikhs the Panj Pyare - the beloved five.Then the Guru put water in a bowl for sprinkling over the five in a simple initiation ceremony. He said prayers as he stirred the water with a short steel sword; symbolising the need for strength. The Guru's wife, Mata Sundri, then came forward and placed some sugar crystals into the holy water or amrit as a reminder that strength must always be balanced by sweetness of temperament. After completing his prayers, the Guru then sprinkled the amrit over the five.He declared them to be the first members of a new community of equals, to be called the Khalsa, meaning "pure". These "saint soldiers" were to dedicate their lives to the service of others and the pursuit of justice for people of all faiths. The Panj Pyare were asked to wear five distinctive symbols of their new identity, The Five Ks.In a move to end social divisions the five dropped their surnames - traditionally associated with one's caste - and took the common name Singh, meaning "lion", a reminder of the need for courage. At the same time, the Guru gave Sikh women the name or title Kaur, meaning "princess", to emphasise dignity and complete equality.The Guru then knelt before the five and asked them to initiate him. Hence, the Khalsa became a community in which master and disciple were equal.For Sikhs, this seasonal festival also has great importance as the founding of the Akal Khalsa (Soldiers of the Timeless One) at Anandpur Sahib, the famous Golden Temple of Amritsar, India. The Akal Khalsa played an important role in resistance against Mughal rule. This act of total surrender of one's life to the service of the AKAL(God), the Timeless One, and at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh created the Sikh religion. For many centuries after that, the first male child of many Hindu families in Punjab was ordained as a Sikh.

Testimonials :----

Sri Guru Arjan Sahib got Sri Harimandir Sahib built in the midst of the sarovar (tank) at the lowest level. Unlike other temples where the devotees have to climb up to offer their obeisance, here the devotees have to step down to offer their homage. This unique temple of God has been built at the lowest level because it represents the humility of Guru Nanak.

The Golden Temple is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the world. In the evolution of the Darbar Sahib, is entwined the history and ideology of Sikhism. In its architecture are included, symbols associated with other places of worship. This is an example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds. I personally like this place more than the Taj Mahal. There's no entrance fee. You need to take off your shoes and cover your head. There's a tourist information office at the entrance, you might wanna get in and ask for a booklet which contains a history of this place and a map. It costed 10 Rupees to take a rickshaw from Amritsar Railway Station to the Golden Temple.












Guru Ramdas Langar (Free Kitchen) inside the Golden Temple and you can have your free breakfast, lunch and dinner. Being serve to all visitors 24 hours irrespective of religion & nationality and you can even eat many times as you want!!! Just dal and chappati...nothing else!!!
Like the accommodation in the temple the food there is also for free. I recommend to try it! It is an interesting experience and a glimpse into local live to sit in a row with local people, wealthy or poor. You get some dal (lentils), rice and chapattis and a glas of water. The food is not really something very special. But the experience itself is wonderful!
Sri Guru ka langar, free restaurant really is something different. Up to 50.000 people are fed here daily, and all for free. There is no real way to describe it, just go and see for yourself. It's open 24/7, so if you're craving for a mid-night snack, this is the place to go!

They only have one dish: the dish of the day, usually consisting of rice (sometimes curried) with dal (curried lentils), and chapattis. But you may get lucky and eat there on a rice pudding (with sugar and coconut) -day. That's the great thing, you just never know. As always, donations are very welcome. As is volunteer work in either the cooking- or the dishwashing-department. All meals are veg.