Photo Feature

The Festival of Baisakhi is celebrated with a lot of joy and enthusiasm among the Sikh community. Farmers are delighted over the festival as for them Baisakhi marks the time for harvest of Rabi crops. Baisakhi is one of the biggest festivals as it marks the foundation day of Khalsa Panth by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Sikh communities all over the world celebrate Baisakhi by participating in the special prayer meets and Baisakhi processions.

Sikhism, a progressive religion, founded over 500 years ago, has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the world's fifth largest religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and shuns superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus who protect the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The understandings of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are universal in their appeal to all mankind.

Philosophy and Beliefs

There is only One God. He is the same God for all people of all religions.

The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form. The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should remember God at all times and practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.

The true path to achieving salvation and merging with God does not require renunciation of the world or celibacy, but living the life of a householder, earning an honest living and avoiding worldly temptations and sins.

Sikhism condemns blind rituals and superstitions.

Sikhism preaches that people of different races, religions, or sex are all equal in the eyes of God. It teaches the full equality of men and women. Women can participate in any religious function or perform any Sikh ceremony or lead the congregation in prayer.

On April 22, the Baishakhi festival was celebrated at the Dhaka University Guruduara. ZAHEDUL I KHAN captures a few moments of the joyous occasion.