Basant in Chheharta, celebration of tradition and harmony

Chheharta, once an industrial town and now a part of Amritsar, is renowned for its grand celebration of the Basant Panchami festival. Every year, a Gurdwara in Chheharta, where the sixth Sikh Guru Shri Hargobind installed a well and six Persian wheels (Chhe-harta) for irrigation, becomes the epicenter of the festivities.

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The Gurdwara draws a huge gathering of devotees, marking the festival with immense zeal and reverence. While Basant is historically a spring festival in Punjab, its cultural significance has evolved over the years, transcending religious boundaries. The festival’s roots can be traced back to Amir Khusro, who, dressed in yellow, sang “Aaj Basant Manayle Suhagan” to console Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, mourning the loss of his nephew.

This act of solidarity sowed the seeds of Basant among the Muslim community of the region. Similarly, during the protests against the execution of Dharmi Haqiqat Rai, a 12-year-old martyr, the Khatris (Hindus and Sikhs) of Lahore adopted the custom of flying kites and wearing yellow turbans, giving Basant a new layer of meaning — one of resistance and defiance.

Though not strictly a Hindu, Sikh, or Muslim festival, Basant has been embraced across religious lines, with gurdwaras, temples, and Sufi shrines each adding their unique vibrancy to the seasonal celebration. The festival also holds deep significance for Madho Lal Hussain Lahoori, symbolising religious harmony in the Punjab region.

Notably, the patronage of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh elevated the festival’s cultural stature, making it one of inclusivity and unity.