Devotees at Guru Nanak School during Baisakhi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, April 14: From bhangra to bhajans, Baisakhi this year was special for the Sikh community.

Baisakhi, the beginning of the Panjabi calendar, was celebrated with several cultural programmes across the city.

The Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha on Main Road organised religious discourses followed by bhajans and kirtans at Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School at Pee Pee Compound to observe Baisakhi. Mouth-watering dishes Punjabi lassi, desi chuja fry, fish Amritsari, chatpat paneer ki goli, sarson ka saag, pathani paneer, lahori aloo, biryani, bibi di rotiyan and desserts like kesariya jalebi, rang de rabdi and gajrela were prepared in many households.

Parminder Singh Chadda, one of the residents of Pee Pee Compound, said that it was the most awaited festival for the entire community. “We, along with family members, prepare variety of dishes and wear new clothes. Besides, we also seek blessings from the elders so that coming days pass off peacefully.”

Gurdwara general secretary Gurvinder Singh Sethi said that pracharaks from Delhi and Ludhiana gave discourses to the devotees on Baisakhi. For the 10,000-odd devotees, community feast was organised at Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School.

Apart from sermons, bhangra was a major attraction today. Rashmi Behl, a homemaker, said that Baisakhi is celebrated for the New Year as well as the good harvest for which it has a special significance in the villages in Punjab. “People wear clothes in shades of yellow and a halwa is a must on Baisakhi.”