Diwans, shabad kirtans to mark Baisakhi today

Lucknow: The Sikh community organised special diwans and shabad kirtans in local gurdwaras on the eve of Baisakhi on Thursday.At Gurdwara Naka Hindola, Yahiyaganj and Mansarovar, people will be tasting amrit (sweetened nectar) on Friday morning. After tasting nectar, a person becomes Amritdhari Sikh and a part of Khalsa Panth started by Guru Govind Singh. The diwans, kirtans and paths will be organized throughout the day.The Odia and Bengali community will be celebrating their new year – Poila Boisakh on Friday and Saturday respectively. While the celebration by the Odia community will remain an intimate one, the Bengali community will have grand celebrations at the Bengali Club.On this occasion Bengalis prefer traditional Bengali dishes like rice, fish, five types of Bhaja, Shukto and the sweet dish will include Payesh (Kheer), Mishti doi, Rasgulla on Poila Boisakh. People wear new dresses and offer Puja at Kali Mandir. Bengali businessmen open a new account book (Halkhata).At the Bengali club, famed singer Snigdhajit Bhowmik will be performing during the programme. Several years ago, the people used to take part in a Prabhat pheri with the famous songs of Atul Prasad Sen like ‘Nutan Barash, Nutan Barash, Anchale O Ki Dhaka’, said president of the Bengali Club Arun Banerjee.The Malyali community will also be celebrating their new year Vishu by worshipping lord Ayyappa on Saturday.