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Punjabi festivals are various festive celebrations observed by thePunjabis, originating in thePunjab region. The Punjabis are religiously a diverse and that affects the festivals they observe. According to a 2007 estimate, a total of ~75% percent of the Punjabi population isMuslim, accounting about 90 million people, with 97% of Punjabis who live in Pakistan following Islam, in contrast to the remaining 30 million Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus who predominantly live in India.[1]
The Punjabi Muslims typically observe the Islamic festivals, do not observe Hindu or Sikh religious festivals, and in Pakistan the official holidays recognize only the Islamic festivals.[2][3] The Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus typically do not observe these, and instead observe historic festivals such asLohri,Basant andVaisakhi as seasonal festivals.[4] The Sikh and Hindu festivals are regional official holidays in India, as are major Islamic festivals.[5] Other seasonal Punjabi festivals in India include Teejon (Teeyan) andMaghi.[4] Teeyan is also known as festival of women, as women enjoy it with their friends. On the day of maghi people fly kites and eat their traditional dishkhichdi.
The Punjabi Muslim festivals are set according to the lunarIslamic calendar (Hijri), and the date falls earlier by 10 to 13 days from year to year.[6] The Hindu and Sikh Punjabi seasonal festivals are set on specific dates of the luni-solarBikrami calendar orPunjabi calendar and the date of the festival also typically varies in theGregorian calendar but stays within the same two Gregorian months.[7]
Some Punjabi Muslims participate in the traditional, seasonal festivals of the Punjab region: Baisakhi, Basant and to a minor scale Lohri, but this is controversial. Islamic clerics and some politicians have attempted to ban this participation because of the religious basis of the Punjabi festivals,[8] and they being declaredharam (forbidden in Islam).[9]
Punjabi Buddhists are a minority inPunjab, India.[10] In the Punjab province of Pakistan, the Buddhist population is negligible.[11]
Punjabi Buddhists celebrate festivals such asBuddha Jayanti.[12]
Christians are a minority inPakistan, constituting about 2.3% of its population in contrast to 97.2% Muslims.[11] In Indian state of Punjab, Christians form about 1.1% of its total population, while the predominant majority of the population being Sikh and Hindus. Punjabi Christians celebrateChristmas to mark the birth of Jesus. InPunjab, Pakistan, people stay up late singing Punjabi Christmas carol services.[13] People attend churches in places such asGurdaspur,Amritsar,Jalandhar andHoshiarpur districts inPunjab, India that have a higher Christian population, to be part of Christmas celebrations.[14] Christians also celebrateEaster by engaging in processions.[15]
Punjabi Hindus celebrate a number of religious festivals.
Bavan Dvadasi is a festival dedicated to the Hindu GodVamana. The festival is held during the lunar month of Bhadra. Singh writing for the Tribune in 2000 states that "Tipri, a local version of dandia of Gujarat and a characteristic of the Patiala and Ambala districts, is losing popularity. Its performances are now limited to the occasions of Bavan Dvadsi." According to Singh (2000) "Bavan Dvadsi is a local festival celebrated only in the Patiala and Ambala districts. Anywhere else, people are not aware of it. Now, tipri is performed during this festival only." Singh then states that Bavan Dvadsi "is to celebrate the victory of Lord Vishnu, who in the form of a dwarf, had tricked Raja Bali to grant him three wishes, before transforming into a giant to take the Earth, the sky and Bali's life". Tripri competitions are held during the festival. Dancers dance in pairs, striking the sticks and creating a rhythm whilst holding ropes.[16]
Raksha Bandhan, alsoRakshabandhan, orRakhi,[17][18] is a popular, traditionallyHindu, annual rite, or ceremony, which is central to a festival of the same name, celebrated in India, Nepal and other parts of theIndian subcontinent, and among people around the world influenced by Hindu culture. On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman, oramulet, called therakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.[19]
Raksha Bandhan is observed on the last day of theHindu lunar calendar month ofShraavana, which typically falls in August. The expression "Raksha Bandhan,"Sanskrit, literally, "the bond of protection, obligation, or care", is now principally applied to this ritual. Until the mid-20th-century, the expression was more commonly applied to a similar ritual, also held on the same day, with precedence in ancient Hindu texts, in which a domestic priest ties amulets, charms, or threads on the wrists of his patrons, or changes theirsacred thread, and receives gifts of money; in some places, this is still the case.[20][21] In contrast, the sister-brother festival, with origins in folk culture, had names which varied with location, with some rendered asSaluno,[22][23]Silono[24] andRakri.[20] A ritual associated with included the sisters placing shoots of barley behind the ears of their brothers.[22]
Of special significance to married women, Raksha Bandhan is rooted in the practice of territorial or villageexogamy, in which a bride marriesout of her natal village or town, and her parents, by custom, do not visit her in her married home.[25] In rural north India, where village exogamy is strongly prevalent, large numbers of married Hindu women travel back to their parents' homes every year for the ceremony.[26][27] Their brothers, who typically live with the parents or nearby, sometimes travel to their sisters' married home to escort them back. Many younger married women arrive a few weeks earlier at their natal homes and stay until the ceremony.[28] The brothers serve as lifelong intermediaries between their sisters' married and parental homes,[29] as well as potential stewards of their security.
In urban India, where families are increasinglynuclear, the festival has become more symbolic, but continues to be highly popular. The rituals associated with this festival have spread beyond their traditional regions and have been transformed through technology and migration,[30] the movies,[31] social interaction,[32] and promotion by Hinduism,[33][34] as well as by the nation state.[35]
Among women and men who are notblood relatives, there is also a transformed tradition ofvoluntary kin relations, achieved through the tying ofrakhi amulets, which have cut across caste and class lines,[36] and Hindu and Muslim divisions.[37] In some communities or contexts, other figures, such as a matriarch, or a person in authority, can be included in the ceremony in ritual acknowledgement of their benefaction.[38]
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply asJanmashtami orGokulashtami, is an annualHindu festival that celebrates the birth ofKrishna, the eighthavatar ofVishnu.[39] It is observed according to theHindu lunisolar calendar, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of theKrishna Paksha (dark fortnight) inShraavana orBhadrapad (depending on whether the calendar chooses the new moon or full moon day as the last day of the month), which overlaps with August or September of theGregorian calendar.[39]
It is an important festival, particularly in theVaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.[40] Dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to theBhagavata Purana (such asRasa Lila or Krishna Lila), devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, fasting (upavasa), a night vigil (RatriJagaran), and a festival (Mahotsav) on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations.[41] It is celebrated particularly inMathura andVrindavan, along with major Vaishnava and non-sectarian communities found in Manipur, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and all other states of India.[39][42]
Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festivalNandotsav, which celebrates the occasion whenNanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honor of the birth.[43]
Maha Shivaratri is the great night ofShiva, during whichfollowers of Shiva observe religiousfasting and the offering ofBael (Bilva) leaves to Shiva. Mahashivaratri Festival or 'The Night of Shiva' is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon inPhalgun (February – March). Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva. To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc. On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of "Om Namah Shivaya' and ringing of temple bells. Jaagran (Nightlong vigil) is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.[44]
Holi is the spring Hindu festival of colours which is celebrated by throwing colours on each other.[45][46] The festival is celebrated on the full moon day ofPhalguna Month[47] ofHindu Calendar. The festival is primarily celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs.[48]
In the Indian state ofPunjab, Holi is preceded by Holika Dahan the night before. On the day of Holi, people engage in throwing colours[49] on each other.[50]
During Holi inPunjab, walls and courtyards of rural houses are enhanced with drawings and paintings similar torangoli in South India,mandana in Rajasthan, and rural arts in other parts of India. This art is known aschowk-poorana orchowkpurana in Punjab and is given shape by the peasant women of the state. In courtyards, this art is drawn using a piece of cloth. The art includes drawing tree motifs, flowers, ferns, creepers, plants, peacocks, palanquins, geometric patterns along with vertical, horizontal and oblique lines. These arts add to the festive atmosphere.[51]
Sanjhi is celebrated mainly by women and girls in parts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.[52] Sanjhi is the name of a mother goddess, after whom images are made of mud and molded into various shapes such as cosmic bodies or the face of the goddess, and they get different colors. The local potters make images of various body parts like her arms, legs, face decked with ornaments and weapons. These additions make the image look beautiful and gracious. The additions to the image this way depend upon the economic means of the family.[53]
The image is designed on the first day of the nine days ofDurga Puja or Navratri. Every day women from the neighborhood are invited for singing bhajans and performing aarti. The young girls also gather there and offer their adoration to the mother who is believed to get them suitable husbands. The aarti or the bhajans are chanted daily and some elderly woman guides others. It is usually an all females event. Sanjhi image is prepared on the wall by those families who seek fulfillment of their wishes termed mannat by Punjabis. Some people also seek her blessings for the marriage of their daughters. Kirtan is performed and the image is immersed in water on the last day. The Sanjhi festival ends with the immersion of Sanjhi on the day ofDussehra.[54] The girls offer prayers and food to the goddess every day.
Maghi is the regional name ofMakar Sankranti or Magh Sankranti[47] and marks beginning ofMagha month ofHindu Calendar.[55] While Hindus gather nearMandirs.[56] TheMagha Mela, according toDiana L. Eck – a professor at Harvard University specializing in Indology, is mentioned in the Hindu epic, theMahabharata, thus placing this festival to be around 2,000 years old.[57] Many go to sacred rivers or lakes and bathe with thanksgiving to the sun.[57] Maghi happens to be the day whenBhishma, the octogenarian leader ofKauravas emacipated his soul from bondage of body, by conscious act of will after discoursing many days on mysteries of life and death.[58]
Vaisakhi, also pronounced asBaisakhi marks the beginning ofHindu solar New year.[59][60] Vaisakhi marks the first day of the month ofVaisakha and is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year. This holiday also is known asVaisakhaSankranti and celebrates the Solar new year, based on theHinduVikram Samvat calendar.
Vaisakhi is a historical and religious festival inHinduism. It is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year.[61][62] For Hindus, the festival is their traditional solar new year, a harvest festival, an occasion to bath in sacred rivers such as Ganges, Jhelum, and Kaveri, visit temples, meet friends and take part in other festivities. In other parts of India, the Vaisakhi festival is known by various regional names.[63]
InUndivided Punjab, the Hindu Shrine ofKatas Raj was known for its Vaisakhi fair.[64] It was attended by around 10,000 pilgrims who were mostly Hindus.[65] Similarly, at the shrine ofBairagi Baba Ram Thaman, a Vaisakhi fair was held annually since 16th century CE which was attended by around 60,000 pilgrims andBairagi saints from all over India used to throng the shrine.[66][67]
The Vaisakhi fair is atThakurdwara Bhagwan Narainji at Pandori Mahatan village inGurdaspur district ofPunjab where the fair lasts for three days from 1stVaisakha to 3rd Vaisakha.[68] The celebrations start in form of procession on morning of 1st Vaisakha, carryingMahant in a palanquin byBrahmacharis and devotees. After thatNavgrahaPuja is held and charities in money, grains and cows are done.[69] At evening,Sankirtan is held in whichMahant delivers religious discourses and concludes it by distributingprasad of Patashas (candy drops). Pilgrims also take ritual bathings at sacred tank in the shrine.[70][68]
Rama Navami is the celebration of the birth ofRama. Rama Navami is the day on which Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, incarnated in human form inAyodhya. He is the ardha ansh of Vishnu or has half the divinitive qualities of Lord Vishnu. The word "Rama" literally means one who is divinely blissful and who gives joy to others, and one in whom the sages rejoice. Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight in Chaitra (April/May) and coincides with Vasant Navratri or Chait Durga Puja. Therefore, in some regions, the festival is spread over nine days. This day, marking the birthday of Lord Rama, is also observed as the marriage day of Rama and Sita and thus also referred to as Kalyanotsavam. In Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, a huge fair is held with thousands of devotees gathering to celebrate this festival. The fair continues for two days, and rathyatras, carrying the Deities of Ram, his brother Laxman, His wife Sita, and His greatest devotee Mahavir Hanuman, are taken out from almost all Ram Temples. Hanuman is known for is his devotion to Rama, and his tales form an important part of the celebration. In Andhra Pradesh, Ram Navami is celebrated for 10 days from the Chaitra saptami to the Bahula Padyami in March/April. Temples re-enact the marriage of Lord Rama and Sita to commemorate this event, since this day is also the day they got married.[71]
In most of northern and western India, Dasha-Hara (literally, "ten days") is celebrated in honour ofRama. Thousands of drama-dance-music plays based on theRamayan andRamcharitmanas (Ramlila) are performed at outdoor fairs across the land and in temporarily built staging grounds featuring effigies of the demons Ravan,Kumbhakarna andMeghanada. The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening of Vijayadashami-Dussehra.[72] While Dussehra is observed on the same day across India, the festivities leading to it vary. In many places, the "Rama Lila" or the brief version of the story of Rama, Sita and Lakshaman, is enacted over the 9 days before it, but in some cities, such asVaranasi, the entire story is freely acted out by performance-artists before the public every evening for a month.[73]
The performance arts tradition during the Dussehra festival was inscribed by UNESCO as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2008.[74] The festivities, states UNESCO, include songs, narration, recital and dialogue based on the Hindu textRamacharitmanas byTulsidas. It is celebrated across northern India for Dussehra, but particularly in historically important Hindu cities ofAyodhya,Varanasi,Vrindavan,Almora,Satna andMadhubani.[74] The festival and dramatic enactment of the virtues versus vices filled story is organised by communities in hundreds of small villages and towns, attracting a mix of audiences from different social, gender and economic backgrounds. In many parts of India, the audience and villagers join in and participate spontaneously, helping the artists, others helping with stage setup, make-up, effigies, and lights.[74] These arts come to a close on the night of Dussehra, when the victory of Rama is celebrated by burning the effigies of evil Ravan and his colleagues.[75]
Diwali festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during theHindu lunisolar monthKartika (between mid-October and mid-November).[77][78][79] One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".[80][81][82][83] The festival is widely associated withLakshmi, goddess of prosperity, with many other regional traditions connecting the holiday toSita andRama,Vishnu,Krishna,Yama,Yami,Durga,Kali,Hanuman,Ganesha,Kubera,Dhanvantari, orVishvakarman. Furthermore, it is, in some regions, a celebration of the day LordRama returned to his kingdomAyodhya with his wifeSita and his brotherLakshmana after defeatingRavana inLanka and serving 14 years of exile.
In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants will prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces withdiyas (oil lamps) andrangolis.[84] During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes withdiyas andrangoli, perform worship ceremonies ofLakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth,[note 1] light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, wheremithai (sweets) and gifts are shared. Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu andJain diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.[87][88][89]
The five-day long festival originated in theIndian subcontinent and is mentioned in early Sanskrit texts. Diwali is usually celebrated twenty days after theDashera (Dasara, Dasain) festival, withDhanteras, or the regional equivalent, marking the first day of the festival when celebrants prepare by cleaning their homes and making decorations on the floor, such asrangolis.[90] The second day isNaraka Chaturdashi. The third day is the day ofLakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja andBalipratipada (Padwa). Some Hindu communities mark the last day asBhai Dooj or the regional equivalent, which is dedicated to the bond between sister and brother,[91] while other Hindu and Sikh craftsmen communities mark this day asVishwakarma Puja and observe it by performing maintenance in their work spaces and offering prayers.[92][93]
Karu-ay is the Punjabi name for the fast ofKarva Chauth.[94] This fast is primarily traditionally observed in thePunjab region but is also observed in parts ofUttar Pradesh[95] andRajasthan.
Although the mode of performing theKarva Chauth fast requires the woman to see the Moon through a sieve and then her husband's face through the same sieve before she eats, in the Punjabi Karu-ay da varat, traditionally a brother will collect his married sister who will keep the fast at her natal home.[94]
The women will eat sweet dishes before sunrise and will not eat throughout the day. Women also get dressed up in traditional attire and gather in the evening for hearing tales about the fast. The purpose of the fast is for the well-being and longevity of husbands.[94]
Jhakrya is a Punjabi fast which according to Kehal is observed by mothers for their sons' well-being. However, Pritam (1996) believes the fast is kept by mothers for the welfare of their children.[96]
Jharkri is a clay pot in which dry sweet dishes are kept. Mothers are required to eat something sweet in the morning and then fast all day. Jhakrya fast is observed four days afterKarva Chauth and is related toHoi Mata. A mother who keeps Jhakrya da varat for the first time will distribute the sweets kept in the Jhakri to her husband's clan. She will also give her mother-in-law a Punjabi suit.
On subsequent fasts, mothers will fill the Jhakri will water and jaggery and rice. When the moon rises, an offering is made to the stars and then the sons. Other food will also be given to the sons. Thereafter, mothers will eat something sweet to break the fast.[97]
Ahoi Ashtami is aHindu festival celebrated about 8 days before Diwali on KrishnaPaksha Ashtami. According to Purnimant calendar followed in North India, it falls during the month ofKartik and according to Amanta calendar followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and other southern states, it falls during the month ofAshvin. However, it is just the name of the month which differs and the fasting ofAhoi Ashtami is done on the same day.
The fasting and puja on Ahoi Ashtami are dedicated to Mata Ahoi or Goddess Ahoi. She is worshiped by mothers for the well-being and long life of their children. This day is also known asAhoi Aathe because fasting for Ahoi Ashtami is done during AshtamiTithi which is the eighth day of the lunar month. Ahoi Mata is none other than GoddessParvati.
Bhoogay falls on the fourth day of the first half of the lunar month of Poh. The day is also calledSankat Chauth.[98] The fast is kept by sisters for the well-being of brothers during the Punjabi month of Poh (December–January). Sisters will break their fast by eating sweet balls made of sesame, jaggery and flourPinni.[94]
The following religious festivals are observed by Sikhs.
This festival commemorates the Battle of Muktsar where the Chalis Mukte or the forty beloved died. Guru Gobind Singh Ji commemorated the martyrs by holding a gathering and performing Kirtan.
The Maghi fair is held to honour the memory of the forty Sikh warriors killed during theBattle of Muktsar in 1705. Muktsar, originally called Khidrana, was named as Muktsar ("the pool of liberation") following the battle. These forty Sikhs, led by their leader Mahan Singh, had formally deserted Sri Guru Gobind Singh in the need of hour, and signed a written memorandum to the effect.[99] When Mai Bhago, a valiant and upright lady, heard of this cowardly act, she scolded the Singh's and inspired them refresh with spirit of bravery for which Sikhs are known. Hence, the unit went back and joined the Guru who was already engaged in action at Khidrana. All forty of them attained martyrdom. The memorandum (bedawa) was torn-down by the Guru himself just before Mahan Singh died.
People gather from all over Punjab, even other parts of India to join the festival which is in fact spread over many days. Merchants display their wares for sale, which include from trinkets to high-end electronics, the weaponsNihangs bear and especially agricultural machinery (since most around are farmers). The country's biggestcircuses, Apollo and Gemini, are there as a matter of rule, merry-go-rounds and giant wheels, and the famousWell of Death (trick motorcycling inside a consortium of wood planks) are there.
This festival's name, when translated, means the birth celebration of the 10th Divine Light, or Divine Knowledges. It commemorates the birth ofGuru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. The festival is one of the most widely celebrated event by Sikhs.
Gobind Singh was the only son ofGuru Tegh Bahadur, the ninthSikh guru, andMata Gujri.[100] He was born inPatna on 22 December 1666,Bihar in theSodhiKhatri family[101] while his father was visitingBengal andAssam.[101] His birth name was Gobind Rai, and a shrine namedTakht Sri Patna Harimandar Sahib marks the site of the house where he was born and spent the first four years of his life.[101] In 1670, his family returned to Punjab, and in March 1672 they moved to Chakk Nanaki in the Himalayan foothills of north India, called the Sivalik range, where he was schooled.[102]
An annual festival of thousands held at Anandpur Sahib. It was started byGuru Gobind Singh as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles. The mock battles were followed bykirtan and valour poetry competitions. Today theNihang Singhs carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. There are also a number of darbars where kirtan is sung. It is celebrated by Sikhs across the world as 'Sikh Olympics' with events and competitions ofswordsmanship, horse riding,Gatka (Sikh martial arts), falconry and others by Nihang Singhs.
InPunjab it is celebrated as the birth of theKhalsa brotherhood. It is celebrated at a large scale atKesgarh Sahib,Anandpur Sahib. In India,U.K., Canada, United States, and other Sikh populated areas, people come together for a publicmela orparade. The main part of the mela is where a local Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) has a beautiful Sikh themed float on which theGuru Granth Sahib is located and every one offers their respect by bowing with much reverence and fervour. To mark the celebrations,Sikh devotees generally attend theGurudwara before dawn with flowers and offerings in hands. Processions through towns are also common. Vaisakhi is the day on which theKhalsa was born and Sikhs were given a clear identity and a code of conduct to live by, led by the 10thSikh Guru,Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who baptized the first Sikhs using sweet nectar called Amrit.
The martyrdom anniversary ofGuru Arjan, the fifth Guru, falls in June, the hottest month in India. He was tortured to death under the orders of Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, on the complaint of a Hindu banker Chandu Lal, who bore a personal enmity with Guru, atLahore on 25 May 1606. Celebrations consist ofKirtan, Katha and Langar in the Gurdwara. Because of hot summer, chilled sweetened drink made from milk, sugar, essence and water is freely distributed in Gurdwaras and in neighborhoods to everybody irrespective of their religious belief as a sign and honour of the humble Guru who happily accepted his torture as a will ofWaheguru and made no attempt to take any action.
On this day Guru Nanak was born in Nanakana Sahib, now situated in Pakistan. Every year Sikhs celebrate this day with large-scale gatherings. Candles, divas and lights are lit inGurdwaras, in the honour of Guru along with fireworks. The birthday celebration usually lasts three days. Generally two days before the birthday,Akhand Path (forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of Guru Granth Sahib) is held in the Gurdwara. One day before the birthday, a procession is organized which is led by the Panj Pyares (Five Beloved Ones) and the Palki (Palanquin) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and followed by teams ofRagis singing hymns, brass bands playing different tunes and devotees singing the chorus.
The Martyrdom of both the elder and younger Sahibzadas is a remembrance of the four young princes (sons of Guru Gobind Singh) who were martyred in late December. The two older sons, Sahibzade Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, were killed by Mughal soldiers during the battle of Chamkaur.[citation needed] Both the younger sons Sahibzade Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were executed after being captured. These Martyrs are observed 21 December and 26 December respectively.
Bandi Chhor Divas was celebrated when Guru Hargobind sahib ji was released from Gwalior prison with 52Hindu kings and princes holding on to his robe or cape with 52 ropes.The guru let all 52 innocent rulers to safety without any signs of war or battle. In addition toNagar keertan (a street procession) and anAkhand paath (a continuous reading ofGuru Granth Sahib), Bandi Chhor (Shodh) Divas is celebrated with a fireworks display. The Sri Harmandir Sahib, as well as the whole complex, is festooned with thousands of shimmering lights. The gurdwara organizes continuouskirtan singing and special musicians. Sikhs consider this occasion as an important time to visit Gurdwaras and spend time with their families.[103]
The following festivals are celebrated jointly by Hindus and Sikhs and members of other faiths as Punjabi seasonal/cultural celebrations.
Lohri is a cultural festival but for some Hindus it is considered a religious festival inNorth West India,[104] the religious part being offerings made to sacred fire,Agni, lit on Lohri festival.[105] The offering consists of sesame, jaggery, peanuts and popcorns.[105] BesidesPunjabi Hindus and Sikhs, Lohri is also celebrated byDogras and other people ofJammu,[106] people ofHaryana and people from western and southern half ofHimachal Pradesh.[107] According to Chauhan (1995), all Punjabis, including Sikhs, Muslims and Christians celebrate Lohri inPunjab, India.[108] Lohri is celebrated on the last day of the month of Poh (Pausha).[109]
Many people believe the festival commemorates the passing of thewinter solstice.[110][111][112] Lohri is observed the night beforeMakar Sankranti, also known asMaghi, and according to the solar part of the LunisolarPunjabi calendar (variation of theBikrami calendar) and typically falls about the same date every year (January 13).[113]
Lohri is an official gazetted holiday in the state of Punjab (India),[114] but it is not a holiday in Punjab (Pakistan).[115] It is, however, observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians in Punjab, India and by some Punjabi Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians inPakistan as well.[116]
The festival marks the increase in daylight.[117] Maghi is celebrated by ritual bathing in holy water bodies and performingDaan (charity).[118][119] Hindus will visit the Mandir and bathe is rivers and Sikhs will observe the day by visiting the Gurdwara and also bathe in rivers and pools to markMela Maghi. Punjabis will consumeKhichdi (Boiled Rice and Lentil mixture) andRauh di kheer which is rice pudding cooked in sugarcane juice on this occasion.Rauh Di Kheer is prepared in the evening before Maghi and is kept to cool. It is served cold next morning on Maghi with red-chilly mixed curd.[120] Fairs are held at many places on Maghi.[121]
Basant Panchami is an ancient Hindu spring festival dedicated to godKama as well as goddessSaraswati.[122] Its link with the Hindu god of love and its traditions have led some scholars to call it "a Hindu form of Valentine's Day".[123][124] The traditional colour of the day is yellow and the dish of the day is saffron rice. People fly kites.[122][125]
InNorth India, and in the Punjab province ofPakistan, Basant is celebrated as a spring festival of kites.[126] The festival marks the commencement of the spring season. In thePunjab region (including the Punjab province ofPakistan), Basant Panchami has been a long established tradition of flying kites[127] and holding fairs.
Punjabi Muslims have treated parts of the festival as a cultural event. In Pakistan however kite flying has been banned starting in 2007 with officials stating that it uses dangerous, life-threatening substances on the strings.[128] The festival ban was confirmed by the Pakistan Punjab state chief ministerShehbaz Sharif in 2017. According to some analysts, "the festival was banned due to pressure from hardline religious and extremist groups like theHafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud Dawah, which claimed the festival had "Hindu origins" and was "un-Islamic".[129]
Vaisakhi is a religious festival of Sikhs. Vaisakhi marks the beginning of Sikh new year and the formation of the Khalsa.[130][131] Punjabi Muslims observe the new year according to the Islamic calendar. Vaisakhi is also a harvest festival for people of thePunjab region.[132] The harvest festival is celebrated by Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus.[133] In the Punjab, Vaisakhi marks the ripening of therabi harvest.[134]
Vaisakhi additionally marks the Punjabi new year.[135] This day is observed as a thanksgiving day by farmers whereby farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity.[136] Historically, during the early 20th century, Vaisakhi was a sacred day for Sikhs and Hindus and a secular festival for all Muslims and non-Muslims including Punjabi Christians.[137] In modern times, sometimes Christians participate in Baisakhi celebrations along with Sikhs and Hindus.[138]
According to Aziz-ud-din Ahmed,Lahore used to have Baisakhi Mela after the harvesting of the wheat crop in April. However, adds Ahmed, the city started losing its cultural vibrancy in the 1970s afterZia-ul-Haq came to power, and in recent years "thePakistan Muslim League (N) government in Punjab banned kite flying through an official edict more under the pressure of those who want a puritanical version of Islam to be practiced in the name of religion than anything else".[139] Unlike the Indian state of Punjab that recognizes the Vaisakhi Sikh festival as an official holiday,[5] the festival is not an official holiday in Punjab or Sindh provinces of Pakistan where Islamic holidays are officially recognized instead.[2][3] However, On 8 April 2016, Punjabi Parchar at Alhamra (Lahore) organised a show called Visakhi mela, where the speakers pledged to "continue our struggle to keep the Punjabi culture alive" in Pakistan through events such as Visakhi Mela.[140] Elsewhere Besakhi fairs or melas are held in various places includingEminabad[141] andDera Ghazi Khan.[142][note 2]
Aawat pauni is a tradition associated with harvesting, which involves people getting together to harvest the wheat. Drums are played while people work. At the end of the day, people singdohay to the tunes of the drum.[146]
The harvest festival is also characterized by the folk dance,Bhangra which traditionally is a harvest dance.
Fairs orMelas (fair) are held in many parts ofPunjab, India to mark the new year and the harvesting season. Vaisakhi fairs take place in various places, includingJammu City, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi and Samba,[147] in the Pinjore complex nearChandigarh,[148] inHimachal Pradesh cities of Rewalsar, Shimla, Mandi and Prashar Lakes.
Teeyan welcomes the monsoon season and the festival officially starts of the day ofTeej and last for 13 days. The seasonal festival involves women and girls dancing Gidha and visiting family. The festival is observed inPunjab, India as a cultural festival by all communities.
The festival is celebrated during the monsoon season from the third day of the lunar month ofSawan on the bright half, up to the full moon ofsawan, by women. Married women go to their maternal house to participate in the festivities.[149][150] In the past, it was traditional for women to spend the whole month ofSawan with their parents.[149][151]
Teej is historically a Hindu festival, dedicated to GoddessParvati and her union with LordShiva, one observed in northern, western, central and Himalayan regions of the Indian subcontinent.[152][153]
Rakhri or Rakhrhee (Punjabi:ਰੱਖੜੀ) is the Punjabi word forRakhi and a festival observed byHindus and Sikhs.[154][155][156] In thePunjab region, the festival ofRaksha Bandhan is celebrated asRakhrhya (Punjabi:ਰੱਖੜੀਆ).[157] Rakhrhya is observed on the same day of the lunar month of Sawan. It, like Raksha Bandhan, celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Rakhri means "to protect" whereby a brother promises to look out for his sister and in return, a sister prays for the well-being of her brother. According to Fedorak (2006), the festival of Rakhri celebrates "the bonds between brothers and sisters".[158] Married women often travel back to their natal homes for the occasion.[159]
A Rakhri can also be tied on a cousin or an unrelated man. If a woman ties a Rakhri on the wrist of an unrelated man, their relationship is treated as any other brother and sister relationship would be. The festival is a siblings-day comparable to Mother's day/Father's day/Grandparents day etc.[160]
A sister will tie the Rakhri on her brother's wrist and her brother will traditionally give his sister a gift in exchange. Another feature of the celebration is the consumption of sweets.[161] There is no special ceremony but a sister will sing folk songs[162] and say something along the lines of:
ਸੂਰਜ ਛੱਡੀਆਂ ਰਿਸ਼ਮਾਂ
ਮੂਲੀ ਛੱਡਿਆਂ ਬੀਅ
ਭੈਣ ਨੇ ਬੰਨੀ ਰੱਖੜੀ
ਜੁਗ ਜੁਗ ਵੀਰਾ ਜੀਅ
[163]
Transliteration:
Suraj chhadya rishma
mooli chhadya bi
bhain ne banni rahkhree
jug jug veera ji
The following religious festivals are observed by Punjabi Muslims.
Eid ul-Adha is also known as Eid-ul-Azha. The festival is celebrated on the tenth day of the last Islamic month of Zilhij. Eid-ul-Azha occurs about two months after Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated to commemorate the occasion when theIbrahim (Abraham) was ready on God's command to sacrifice his son, Ismail, whom God then replaced Ismail with a goat. Muslims make pilgrimage (hajj) toMecca during this time.[164]
Animal sacrifice is a tradition offered by Muslims on this day.[165] Special markets are set up to deal with the increase in demand of animals. Cattle markets are set up in places such asMultan, (Punjab, Pakistan)[166] and goat markets inLudhiana,[167] (Punjab, India). The children celebrate Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr with great pump and show and receive gifts and Eidi (money) from parents and others.[168]
Eid al-Fitr takes place on the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and celebrates the end ofRamadan. Ramadan is the time of fasting that continues throughout the ninth month.[169] On this day, after a month of fasting, Muslims express their joy and happiness by offering a congregational prayer in the mosques. Special celebration meals are served.[170] The festival is celebrated inPunjab, Pakistan. It is also celebrated inMalerkotla (Punjab, India) which has a sizable Muslim population where Sikhs and Hindus also participate in the observance.[171]
Eid-e-Milad-un- Nabi is an Islamic festival which is celebrated in honour of the birth-day of Muhammad.[172] The festival is observed in the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar called Rabi'al-Awal.[173] Various processions take place inLahore to celebrate the festival.[174] According to Nestorovic (2016), hundreds of thousands of people gather at Minare-Pakistan, Lahore, between the intervening night of 11th and 12th Rabi' al-awwal of the Islamic calendarEid Milad Dun Nabi.[175] The festival was declared a national holiday in Pakistan in 1949.[176]
People from various places inPunjab, Pakistan includingBahawalpur,Faisalabad,Multan andSargodha participate in processions and engage in decorating Mosques, streets and houses with green flags and lights.[177] According to Khalid, children, teenagers and young adults decorate their Pahari (mountain) of all sorts of toys, including cars, stereos, and numerous other commodities. Within various places of Lahore, there are numerous stalls. Before the festival became a celebratory day, people used to celebrate the day quietly. However, the first procession to mark the day was led from Delhi gate in Lahore in 1935. This tradition then became popular elsewhere.[178] Processions are also taken out inBathinda (Punjab, India).[179]
Remembrance ofMuharram is a set of rituals associated withShia,[180] which takes place inMuharram, the first month of theIslamic calendar. Many of the events associated with the ritual take place in congregation halls known asHussainia. The event marks the anniversary of theBattle of Karbala when ImamHussein ibn Ali, the grandson ofMuhammad, was killed by the forces of the secondUmayyad caliphYazid I atKarbala. Family members, accompanyingHussein ibn Ali, were killed or subjected to humiliation. The commemoration of the event during yearly mourning season, from first ofMuharram to twentieth ofSafar withAshura comprising the focal date, serves to defineShia communal identity.[181]
In Pakistani Punjab, Muharram is celebrated twice, once according to the Muslim year and again on the 10th of harh.[182]
Traditionally, a white horse representing Ali's white Mule Duldul, is usually lead in the Muharram procession, as inJhang, Punjab, Pakistan.[183] Zuljanah, Tazia and Alam processions are observed in many places inPunjab, Pakistan includingSialkot,Gujranwala,Bahawalnagar,Sargodha,Bahawalpur.[184] andLahore.
Zuljanah processions are held which involves taking a replica of a horse. The Zuljanah has two wings and the processions were introduced from Iran to Lahore during the 19th century.[185]
ShiaMuslims take out aTazia procession on theday of Ashura.[186] A Tazia is traditionally a bamboo and paper model of Hussain's tomb atKarbala, which is carried in procession byShias on the tenth day of the month ofMuharram.[187] Moderns forms of Tazia can be more elaborate. Tazia processions in Punjab are historic and were observed during the Sikh and British period when the Tazia would be divided into many storeys, but not ordinarily more than three.[188] Such processions take place inLahore where mourners take to the streets to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his family in Karbala. Various stalls are set up offering milk, water and tea along the route of the processions. Some distribute juice packets, dry fruit, sweetmeats and food among mourners.[189] Tazia processions can also be seen inMalerkotla[190] andDelhi.[191]
Alam processions take place inPunjab, Pakistan too.[192] Alam is an elaborate, heavy battle standard, carried by a standard bearer, alam-dar, ahead of the procession. It represents Imam Hussain's standard and is revered as a sacred object.[193]
Various local fairs and festivals are associated with particular shrines, temples and gurdwaras.
Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lights) is a three-day annual festival to mark theurs (death anniversary) of thePunjabiSufi poet and saintShah Hussain (1538–1599) who lived in Lahore in the 16th century. It takes place at the shrine of Shah Hussain inBaghbanpura, on the outskirts ofLahore, Pakistan, adjacent to theShalimar Gardens.[194]
Rath Yatra Nabha, Ratha Jatra or Chariot Festival is aHindu festival associated with the godJagannath held at Mandir Thakur Shri Saty Narayan Ji in theNabha City, state ofPunjab, India. This annual festival is celebrated in the month of August or September. The festival is connected to Jagannath's visit toNabha city.[195]
{{citation}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)All the stories associated with Deepavali, however, speak of the joy connected with the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
Light, in the form of candles and lamps, is a crucial part of Diwali, representing the triumph of light over darkness, goodness over evil and hope for the future.
It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. The goddessLakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up her path.
... originally was practised by women in Punjab and parts of UP, is gaining tremendous popularity ... We found women of all classes and regional communities ... all said they too were observing the Karva Chauth Vrat for their husbands' longevity. All of them had dekha-dekhi (in imitation) followed a trend which made them feel special on this one day. Husbands paid them undivided attention and showered them with gifts. The women from the bastis go to beauty parlours to have their hair set and hands decorated with mehendi
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
