Vinay’s

Vaisakhi
 Vinay’s
Vaisakhi
Produced in collaboration with Ishpal Kaur Dhillon
www.ishpalkaur.com
First published 2023 © Twinkl Ltd of Wards Exchange,
197 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8HW
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Amrit
The Khalsa
Amrit is a liquid made by stirring sugar
The Khalsa includes Sikhs all over the world
and water together while saying prayers.
who have taken part in the Amrit ceremony.
Sikhs consider it to be holy water.

Amrit Ceremony
Gatka
The Amrit ceremony is a special occasion,
Gatka is a martial art that involves
during which Sikhs become members of
weapons, such as swords and wooden sticks.
the baptised Sikh community (the Khalsa).

Gurdwara Chunni
A Gurdwara is a holy temple where Sikhs A chunni is a long scarf worn by many Sikh
go to worship and pray to God. women around their head and shoulders.

Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Langar Hall
For Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is
The langar hall is the place in a Gurdwara
the living Guru (teacher). The Guru
where food is served and the community
Granth Sahib Ji is a collection of
eats together.
religious Sikh prayers.
The Five Ks
There are five things that baptised Sikhs
wear called ‘the Five Ks’. The Five Ks are:
kesh, kanga, kacchera, kara and kirpan.
Kanga
A kanga is a small wooden comb used by
Sikhs to comb their hair. It can be kept in
their hair when it is not being used.
Kesh
Kesh is the name for hair that is allowed to
grow without being cut.
Kacchera
Kacchera is a pair of cotton, drawstring
shorts worn by Sikhs under their clothes.
Kara
A kara is a special bangle worn by Sikhs.
It is usually made from iron or steel.
Kirpan
A kirpan is a sword carried by Sikhs in
a special holder. It is worn close to the
body, often under clothes.
Nishan Sahib
The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh flag that is
hoisted on a tall flagpole outside Gurdwaras.
Nagar Kirtan
During the Nagar Kirtan, the Guru Granth
Sahib Ji is carried through the streets under
a canopy. Sikhs follow the procession while
singing holy hymns.
Vinay was very excited. Not only had his family just moved into a “I finally get to take part in the Amrit ceremony,”
great new house but it was also nearly Vaisakhi! Harveen said proudly.

This year’s celebration was going to be extra special. Vinay would “And then you get to watch my amazing show!”
be performing in his first-ever martial arts display. And his big grinned Vinay.
sister Harveen was going to become a baptised Sikh!
Harveen was searching through a box for her special wooden hair “Vaisakhi is in two days,” she said. “I need to find my kanga!”
comb called a ‘kanga’.
“Don’t worry,” said Dad. “We’ll find it!”
Vinay and Harveen’s grandmother had given them one each when
they were babies. Harveen had been saving hers to wear for her
Amrit ceremony.
Early the next morning, the family went to the Gurdwara and sat in
the hall. Under a beautiful canopy at the front of the hall, the Guru
Granth Sahib Ji was placed open at the first page.

Vinay listened as a member of the community

began to read the religious prayers.
The next day, Vinay helped to make some food to take to the Gurdwara.
While they worked, Mum told the story of Vaisakhi.
“Hundreds of years ago, the Sikhs’ tenth teacher, Guru Gobind Singh,
took five men into his tent,” said Mum.
“He asked them to give their lives to God. When they stepped out
of the tent, they became the first baptised members of the Sikh
community: the Khalsa.”
When all the food was ready, Vinay went upstairs to work on As Vinay spun and kicked, he accidentally knocked
his gatka moves for the big martial arts display. He had been over a box. Suddenly, he had an idea.
practising for weeks! He passed Harveen desperately hunting
through the boxes in her room for her kanga.

‘I know where I can find a comb for Harveen to use!’ he thought.

The next day was Vaisakhi! The family got up before sunrise. For the Mum put a shiny new kara on Harveen’s wrist and Dad gave her a
Amrit ceremony, Harveen needed five things beginning with ‘K’. brand-new kirpan.

One of these was kesh, her uncut hair. She also put a kacchera on
under her clothes.

“I have something for you too,” said Vinay, handing her a small box.
Inside was a beautiful wooden kanga.
“It’s the kanga that Grandma gave to me,” said Vinay.
“Maybe you could wear this one, since you can’t find yours.”
Harveen hugged Vinay tightly. “Thank you!” she said.
“This is such a special gift from my special little brother.”
The family went to the Gurdwara to watch the Nishan Sahib flag
being changed. Vinay stood and watched the pole being washed
with milk, yoghurt and water.

Then, everyone sang prayers as the new flag was hoisted up.

Harveen put the kanga into her long hair

to hold it in place underneath her chunni.
Soon, it was time for the Amrit ceremony. Harveen knelt down on More Amrit was sprinkled on top of her head and eyes. Then, Harveen
one knee. She cupped both hands together and was given a sweet listened to the rules for being a member of the Khalsa.
liquid to drink called ‘Amrit’.
Afterwards, Vinay felt proud of his big sister. He smiled at her as Vinay and Harveen carried the food to the people sitting on
they served food together in the langar hall. He loved doing this the floor. It looked delicious and included some of Vinay’s
job to help others. favourite dishes, like rotis and daal.
Outside the Gurdwara, the street became packed with people excited Vinay and his gatka class showed off all their best jumps and kicks.
to watch the martial arts display. Vinay felt a bit nervous. He had They played drums and spun wooden sticks. It was great fun and
been so busy finding his kanga for Harveen that he hadn’t had enough Vinay couldn’t help but grin as his friends and family clapped.
time to practise. But the sound of cheering soon helped him to relax.
After the performance, the Nagar Kirtan parade began. The Guru The Guru Granth Sahib Ji moved slowly through the streets as a huge
Granth Sahib Ji had been carefully placed inside a float. crowd of people followed. Some people played music or sang while
others carried flags. This was Vinay’s favourite part of Vaisakhi!
That night, as the family was getting ready for a celebratory dinner, “You should have this one,” Harveen said to Vinay. “You can wear
Dad placed a small box on the table. “I found this when I was looking it when the time comes for your Amrit ceremony. Happy Vaisakhi,
for the saucepans,” he said. little brother.”

It was Harveen’s missing kanga! Vinay smiled. “Happy Vaisakhi!” he replied.

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 There’s lots to look forward to this Vaisakhi!
Vinay will be doing his first-ever martial arts
display and his sister Harveen is becoming
a baptised Sikh.
With two days to go, Harveen can’t find
the special hair comb she needs for
the ceremony. Can Vinay help
her to find it in time?

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