Blog: The story behind Vaisakhi

Written by Jaipal Uppal, member of UoB Sikh Society 

Nothing makes university life better than a strong sense of community. I’ve been lucky enough to find that connection through UoB’s Sikh society.  

This month Sikhs across the globe celebrated Vaisakhi, one of the most important and historic anniversaries in the religious calendar. In this blog I’ll share more about the history of Vaisakhi and how it’s celebrated among the Sikh community.

Every year in April, Vaisakhi marks the start of the harvest season in the Punjab of India. It gained religious significance for Sikhs when the tenth and final Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, established the Khalsa, a special group of initiated Sikh soldiers.  

Establishing the Khalsa 

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji summoned a special assembly in the Keshgarh Fort at the city of Anandpur in India on the day of Vaisakh. After Kirtan (the singing of devotional hymns), he stood, his sword drawn in his hand, and asked who amongst the crowd would give their head for the Sikh faith. 

Volunteer Daya Ram stood forward and offered his head. The Guru took him to a tent and after a while came out with his sword dripping with blood.  

He then repeated his request. 

Dharam Das, another volunteer from the crowd offered himself and was taken into the tent. Following him were volunteers Mohkam Chand, Sahib Chand and Himmat Rai. These five volunteers were prepared to offer their lives for the faith.  

Soon after, the five Sikh volunteers emerged from the tent alive and well wearing new uniformed robes. They were now to be known as the ‘Panj Pyare’ meaning the five beloved ones. They had become the first members of the ‘Khalsa’, which means pure.  

Taking Amrit 

Upon exiting the tent, Guru Gobind Singh Ji offered all five volunteers Amrit (a mixture of sugar and water) - binding themselves in new fraternal ties of the Khalsa. Their rebirth into this brotherhood meant the cancellation of their previous family ties, the occupations which had determined their place in society, their beliefs and creeds and the rituals they had so far observed. 

The Panj Pyare were enjoined to protect the helpless and fight the oppressor, to have faith in One God and to consider all human beings equal, irrespective of caste and creed. 

From that day onwards, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared that all men initiated into the Khalsa, including the five beloved ones, would be given the name ‘Singh’ meaning lion and all women would be given the name ‘Kaur’ meaning princess. To show their commitment, initiated Sikhs would need to wear the five emblems of the Khalsa alongside taking Amrit too. These are known as the Five K’s: 

1. Kesh - uncut hair 
2. Kanga - a small wooden comb to maintain healthy kesh 
3. Kara - an iron bracelet in the shape of a circle which reflects how God has no beginning or end and was historically used as a martial weapon to deflect sword blows on the battlefield 
4. Kachera - cotton shorts, signifying self-control and restraint.  
5. Kirpan - a small sword reminding us to fight for justice and defend those who can’t defend themselves 

How can I celebrate in Birmingham?

Celebrations for the Vaisakhi festival are ongoing across Birmingham and the surrounding area following the start of the festival over the weekend.

A lot of activities will be taking part in May and we encourage our community to join in as they are all only a short trip from the university.

West Park in Wolverhampton, 4 May all-day

The celebrations in Wolverhampton start from 8.30am and last all day, as the annual event returns for 2025. The day starts with a parade through the city centre, culminating at West Park. Here there will be endless entertainment from all the family, including a fun fair, stalls and prominent Asian musicians and singers performing live on stage. There will also be speeches by religious leaders, a variety of local organisations will showcase their services, and free food will also be served throughout the day. Entry is also free.

Vaisakhi in the Park at Victoria Park (Smethwick), 11 May all-day

These celebrations are the UK's largest and are running all day from 10am to 7pm at Victoria Park. The day starts with a parade from Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick at 9.30am that will flow through the city, to arrive at the park for 10.30am. Speeches will be running throughout the day at the Darbar zone, alongside activties in the other five zones running throughout the day including Langar and a fair. The full programme is live at the Vaisakhi in the Park celebrations page, where there is still time to register to volunteer at the event or to book in for a food stall.

We hope that you had a blessed time marking the start of Vaisakhi over the weekend and look forward to upcoming celebrations in the city.