Basant Panchami is an ancient festival that has been celebrated since long ago. For the Sikh community, several important historical events are associated with this day. First, let’s briefly look at its background. According to Hindu tradition, on Basant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati, the deity of music and learning, manifested in this world by the command of Akal Purakh (the Timeless Lord). With her arrival, the atmosphere became filled with music and joy, and greenery began to spread everywhere. On this day, Hindu brothers worship Mata Saraswati and Lord Vishnu. That is the belief in the Hindu faith. Now, let us talk about Sikh history connected to Basant Panchami. 1️⃣ First History Guru Arjan Dev Ji were at Chheharta Sahib, having a special six-spouted well dug for the benefit of the sangat, in celebration of the birth of child Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. On Basant Panchami, Guru Arjan Dev Ji sent a message to Guru Ki Wadali, the place where the Guru’s residence was, saying: “Bring the child Hargobind Sahib along with the mothers to the site at Chheharta Sahib. From there, along with the entire sangat, we will go to the sacred place of our father, Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji — Sri Harmandir Sahib — so that the sangat may have the first blessed darshan of the child Guru Hargobind Sahib.” Thus, for the first time after his birth, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji was taken out of Guru Ki Wadali on the day of Basant Panchami. When the mothers and the sangat reached Chheharta Sahib and presented the child before Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Guru greatly blessed that place on account of the arrival of young Hargobind Sahib. To this day, in remembrance of that joy, grand diwans (congregations) are held at Chheharta Sahib, and the praises of Guru Sahib are sung for the sangat. 2️⃣ Second History On the land of Patiala, in the village Lahilgao(n), a terrible illness had spread. Whenever a woman’s pregnancy reached the eighth month, it would end prematurely and the child would die. The village chief, Chaudhary Bhag Ram Jhaur Ji, humbly requested Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji: “Maharaj, please bless this place with Your presence and protect our village.” Accepting this humble plea, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji arrived, on Basant Panchami, at the place in Patiala where today Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib stands. Guru Ji saw a pond (small water body) there. He placed His sacred feet in the water and declared: “Whoever bathes at this spot will have their sufferings removed, and will receive the spiritual merit equal to that of bathing at sixty-eight holy places (tirthas).” Even today, at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib (Patiala), a great Kirtan Darbar is held on Basant Panchami, and the sangat listens to the praises of Guru Sahib. 3️⃣ Third History On the day of Basant Panchami, the Anand Karaj (wedding ceremony) of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji with Mata Jito Ji took place at Guru Ka Lahore. Mata Jit Kaur (Jito Ji) was the first wife of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. She was born in Lahore, in the house of Bhai Harijass Subhikhi Khatri. Her engagement to Guru Gobind Singh Ji took place in 1673 C.E. Bhai Harijass’s heartfelt wish was that Jito Ji’s marriage be celebrated with great grandeur in Lahore. However, after the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the circumstances changed, and it was no longer possible for Guru Gobind Singh Ji to travel to Lahore for the wedding. Honouring Bhai Harijass Ji’s devotion and desire, Guru Ji had a temporary settlement established about 10 km from Anandpur, near the village of Basantgarh. This place was called “Guru Ka Lahore”. It was here, on 23rd of Magh, on the day of Basant Panchami in 1677 C.E., that the wedding ceremony was performed. Mata Jito Ji gave birth to three Sahibzade: Baba Jujhar Singh Ji, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji, Baba Fateh Singh Ji, of whom one attained martyrdom at Chamkaur Sahib, and two at Fatehgarh Sahib. Mata Jito Ji left her physical body on 11 Assu, 1757 Bikrami (5 December 1700 C.E.) at Anandpur. Her cremation was carried out near Holgarh, at a place known as Agampur. 4️⃣ Fourth History A few days earlier, I had shared a post about Shaheed Haqiqat Rai Ji, which you can read on the page. This young boy was offered many temptations to abandon his faith and embrace Islam, but Haqiqat Rai steadfastly refused. He was subjected to severe tortures, yet he did not renounce his religion. Finally, the tyrants severed Bhai Haqiqat Rai Ji’s head from his body. In remembrance of this brave young martyr, the Sikhs used to organize a very large fair on Basant Panchami in his honour, on the land of present-day Pakistan, and also at Batala in the Gurdaspur district. These are some of the main Sikh-related historical observances associated with Basant Panchami. There may be more such histories as well. If any member of the sangat knows of others, they are welcome to share them in the comments so that the wider sangat may also benefit.
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