FOR many Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a historical and religious festival in Sikhism and Hinduism. It is also the harvest festival in Punjab, where the Khalsa Paanth was formed by the 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who formulated Sikhism as a religion in 1699.
Celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year, thousands of Sikhs visit the 135 gurdwaras across Malaysia to celebrate Vaisakhi.
For the Sikhs, the Vaisakhi celebration embodies the spirit of liveliness and spirituality. Most Sikh men will be dressed in their best attire with neat kurtas (traditional attire for men) and turbans, while the women will wear the salwar-kameez (traditional dress) to the gurdwara.
The highlight of Vaisakhi in every gurdwara is the hoisting of the new Nishan Sahib or flag ensign of the Khalsa. It is followed by recital of the Guru Granth Sahib, the 1,430-page Sikh scriptures, which is carried out in all gurdwaras as an essential element to signify the start of the celebration.
A Sikh woman is reflected in a mirror as she adjusts her scarf during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.A Sikh boy walking out of the temple during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.A Sikh woman making her way to the temple during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.A Sikh man waiting in front of the temple during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.A girl attending special prayers during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.Women arriving at the temple during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.A girl attending special prayers during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.Women listening to prayer recitals during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.A boy leaving after performing his prayers during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.Devotees flying the Nishan Sahib flag during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.Women praying during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.Devotees working at the ‘langar’ (kitchen) during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.Women eating a meal at the ‘langar’ (kitchen) during the Vaisakhi festival at the Gurdwara Sahib temple in Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2017.
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