Punjab is known throughout the world for its vivacious attitude and lavish lifestyle. Punjab signifies luxury and prosperity in its purest form, with fertile land, five rivers, mountains, and vast lush green fields to make it one of the best locations to live. Festivals are a great way to get a sense of the essence of this lovely state. A festival is an event when individuals show off their goals, values, and true selves in a symbolic way. Punjab’s liveliness is evident through the vibrant festivals it celebrates.
Let us know more about the festivals of Punjab and explore the beauty of Punjab’s festival:
Baisakhi is one of Punjab’s most popular festivals, with people bathing in the holy river and visiting Gurudwaras to participate in daytime prayers. Baisakhi is a harvest celebration in Punjab as well as a historically significant festival. Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day is commemorated on this day. The holiday also serves as a harvest celebration for the winter crop, rabi. Various fairs and processions are organised throughout Punjab, inviting everyone to participate in the festivities.
This event, which occurs during the first days of April or May and is one of the largest harvest festivals in the north-western region, is also known as the Saka New Year. Winter crop harvesting begins, and the generously blessed crop bundles are the major cause for joy.
2. Lohri
In the month of January, the Punjabi festival of Lohri is celebrated with zeal and fervour across the province. Huge bonfires are lighted to commemorate the occasion, which symbolise fertility and generate warmth among community members. Lohri is a Hindu festival that commemorates the end of the winter season. Lohri, one of Punjab’s most well-known festivals, is marked by the beating of Dhols, Nagadas, and the singing of traditional Lohri songs.
Children ask for treats by singing traditional songs in the neighbourhood. The event is vibrant, and you can’t afford to miss the Lohri celebrations in North India. In the homes of babies and newlyweds, special celebrations take place.
The bonfire and the folk music and dances that take place around it are the main attractions of this famous Punjabi event. People gather around the fire and toss in all of the winter harvest’s produce, such as gurh, gachak, sesame seeds, and other dried fruits.
3. Gurupurab
Guru Nanak Jayanti also called Gurupurab, one of Punjab’s most celebrated festivals, is a spiritual occasion for Sikhs. The birth anniversaries of the revered Sikh Gurus are commemorated by the Sikh community. The celebration begins with a religious parade in which sacred songs are sung.
The birth of the Sikh Guru, who helped shape the religion and taught the significance of religious devotion, is the focus of most Sikh celebrations.
A religious Festival, in which sacred songs are chanted, begins and ends the festival. The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikhs’ holy scripture, is read aloud during the celebration. People go to gurudwaras to seek blessings, pray, and eat langar, which is sweet and holy.
4. Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is Punjabi women’s festival that takes place throughout the northern and western states of India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The Karwa Chauth festival is the most important event that strengthens the wonderful marital relationship between husband and wife.
The Karva Chauth festival, which is celebrated by wedded couples in north India with utmost devotion and zeal for their husbands’ long life and wealth.
Women groom themselves, adorn themselves, and dress up in the same way they did on their wedding day. Before the sun rises, the mother-in-law prepares a special meal called Sargi, which is followed by a daylong fast, a special Puja, and Paath performed by a group of married and soon-to-be married ladies.
5. Basant Panchmi
Basant Panchami is celebrated in Punjab by wearing yellow clothing appropriate for the season, singing and dancing, and holding a feast. On this auspicious day, people often hold kite flying competitions. On this day, the main attraction, multi-colored kites dot the skies. Basant Panchami also signifies the transition from a harsh, cold climate to a warmer one.
As spring comes, the fields transform into a lovely yard filled with millions of yellow flowering flowers. Namdhari Sikhs wear yellow and distribute langars at gurudwaras to express their thanks to the Supreme by sharing their harvest with others. Punjabi Muslims, who are not bound by any religious affiliation, also celebrate Basant Panchami with zeal, flying kites from their rooftops.
6. Teeyan
Teeyan, is a women’s traditional celebration that commemorates the start of the monsoon season. Teeyan, regarded as one of Punjab’s best festivals, runs for thirteen days, beginning on the third day of Saawan Maas and ending on Saawan Purnima.
The people of Punjab look forward to the sawan month since it coincides with several celebrations. Teej festival gives joy and the opportunity to meet new people. Young girls and boys take an active role in events held in Punjab’s many towns and districts. Teej is celebrated on the third day of Sawan, the fifth Hindu month that begins with Chaitra.
Kheer Puri, Gulgale, Karah, and Pakoras are some of the Teej delicacies. The magnificent feast is enjoyed by the entire family. Men bless their wives and both pray for a long and happy life for one other.
7. Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla is a well-known and colourful three-day Sikh festival held in the spring. It occurs on the second day of the Chett lunar month, which is the first month of the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar. This parade takes place in Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, Punjab’s Rupnagar district, one of the five Sikh takhts with historical significance.
Many remarkable accomplishments, like as sword fencing, archery, and horseback riding, are displayed throughout the event. The celebration concludes with a procession in which the panj pyaaras are dressed in traditional blue and saffron garb.
8. Chappar Mela
In honour of Gugga Pir, the Chappar fair is conducted on Anand Chaudas, the 14th day of the bright half of Bhadon. In his honour, the ‘Gugge di Marhi’ temple was constructed. The Pir was well-known in his day, and his followers may be found all over Punjab. He was a Chauhan Rajput, and legend has it that he and his steed quietly descended into Mother Earth’s bosom, never to be seen again.
He was thought to have a special ability to control all snakes. Villages shovel the soil seven times on the day of the fair because they believe this will conjure Gugga Pir to protect them from snakes. This shrine has a reputation for treating those who have been bitten by snakes.
9. Jor Mela
The Jor Mela is a religious gathering held to honour Guru Gobind Singh’s martyred sons. Every year in December, it takes place at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib area. Every year, the local government makes special provisions for the thousands of religious followers who attend.
The villagers pool grains, mil, vegetables, and fruits for the devotees and organise food for them at the Guru Ka Langar held at the Sabha. According to legend, the wealthy and the poor join together to organise the langar and assist the visitors.
10. Tikka
Tikka is a Punjabi festival that takes place the day after Diwali. The celebration commemorated the link between brothers and sisters, in which the sister places tikka on the brother’s forehead and prays for his long life. Following that, presents and sweets compete with each other. To get into the festive spirit, everyone dresses up in new outfits.
The sister conducts aarti and tika on her boys’ foreheads as part of their ritual. The sister then ties the kalawa around her brother’s wrist, recalling their previous promises to keep her safe. Special sweets and meals are served as part of the celebration. Bhai Dooj, which falls on the second day following Diwali, is another bead in the string of festivities.
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