Baisakhi celebrated with fervour, gaiety in J&K

Jammu: A large number of devotees on Tuesday thronged the gurdwaras across Jammu region to mark Baisakhi festival, which was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in the state.

Since Morning, Sikhs offered prayers at several beautifully-decorated Gurdawaras across Jammu region amid Kirtans and prepared food at community kitchens for devotees.

Baisakhi, the harvest festival celebrated mainly in the Punjab region also coincides with other festivals celebrated on the first day of Indian calendar month Baisakh.

The festival has special significance for Sikhs since it marks the day in 1699, when their tenth Guru Gobind Singh organised the order of the Khalsa, a collective body of initiated Sikhs.

Baisakhi marks the first day of spring and the end of wheat harvest in India. Farmers express their gratitude for a good harvest and pray for prosperity in the coming year.

J-K Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed extended their greetings to people on the occasion.

"The day has a special significance for people of northern India, particularly for the Sikh community. Khalsa Panth was born on this day which also marks the beginning of the New Year in the Indian Calendar," Vohra said in a statement.

The Governor prayed for peace, harmony, brotherhood, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message, Sayeed said the custom of observing Baisakhi with harmony and brotherhood adds colour to its festivity.

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sukhnandan Chowdhary inaugurated Baisakhi Mela-2015 at Canal Head here and greeted the people of the state on the occasion.

He said Baisakhi marks the beginning of the harvesting season and the New Year and eulogized the role of Sikh community in socio-economic emancipation of the state.

Minister of State for Finance and Information Technology, Pawan Kumar Gupta today inaugurated a three-day historic Devika Baisakhi Mela on the banks of Devika rivulet in Udhampur town this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister greeted the people on Baisakhi and hoped the festival brings peace, prosperity and harmony in the state.

He said the historic Mela on Devika Ghat has its own significance and people take holy bath in the sacred Devika rivulet during the Mela.

District Information Centre Udhampur will be organising a cultural programme and film shows based on folk culture and social evils during the Mela.

There were over a dozens of the Baisakhi festivals in various places across Jammu region particularly in Jammu city, Kathua, Udhampur, Samba and Reasi.