Baisakhi Mela begins in Kartarpur

The Sikh community in Pakistan started celebrations of the Baisakhi Mela in Kartarpur, Narowal, 24News HD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
According to the channel, the arrival of thousands of Sikh pilgrims from all over the world including India has also been started in Kartarpur.
For foreign visitors, there are special arrangments of residence, food, medical, transport and foolproof security for Sikh yatris in Kartarpur.
The channel reported that more than three thousand Sikh yatris will reach Kartapur by special trains today to pay for their religious rituals connected to the Baisakhi Mela.
It is worth mentioning that special food (langar) made with vegetables from the lands used by Baba Guru Nanak will be provided to the visitors of the Kartapur during the Baisakhi Mela.
As per the channel report, pickles, potatoes, special halwa, tea and other food items are included in the langer.
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated annually on 13 April and sometimes 14 April.
It is seen as a spring harvest celebration primarily in Punjab. For Sikhs, in addition to its significance as the harvest festival, during which Sikhs hold kirtans, visit local gurdwaras, and community fairs, hold nagar kirtan processions, raise the Nishan Sahib flag, and gather to socialize and share festive foods.
Vaisakhi observes major events in the history of Sikhism and the Indian subcontinent that happened in the Punjab region. Vaisakhi as a major Sikh festival marks the birth of the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, on 13 April 1699. Later, Ranjit Singh was proclaimed as Maharaja of the Sikh Empire on 12 April 1801 (to coincide with Vaisakhi), creating a unified political state.

Reporter: Yasar Arafat