Basanti means yellow colour and panchmi means the fifth day of the bright half of the
lunar month. Being ignorant about the origin and background of Basant Panchmi, in
general people consider it a socio-cultural festival and celebrate it with great pomp and
show.

Bhagat Ravidas Ji (1377-1527) was born to Raghu Ji and Ghurbinia Ji at Seer Goverdhanpur in Varanasi (also known as Banaras), Uttar Pradesh. In his sacred memory, at his birthplace, Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir has been established. The picture of this Mandir is being given at the end of this write-up. Throughout the year his followers visit this Mandir to pay respect to him and especially on his birthday lacs of his followers visit this sacred place to pay their obeisance.

Ahmad Shah Abdali was a poor pathan who by enhancing his power after conquering Kandhar, brought Balkh, Sindh, Punjab and Kashmir under his control. He invaded India eight times during 1747 to 1767 and his sixth invasion which he undertook on February 5, 1762 was to annihilate the Sikhs. 

Holding a khanda (double-edged sword) in his right hand and his severed head in his left hand Baba Dip Singh Ji (1682-1757) sacrificed his life fighting against oppression for the liberation of Sri Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar. He was born on January 26, 1682, in Pahuwind village, 40 km south-west of Amritsar and falls in District Tarn Taran of Punjab.

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) the tenth spiritual teacher of the Sikhs is reverently known as SARBANS DANEE i.e., a person who sacrificed his ‘sarbans’ whole family for helping the oppressed persons and protecting a person’s right to profess the religion of one’s own choice. 

Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji (1630-1661) the seventh Guru of the Sikh faith was born on January 16, 1630 at Kiratpur Sahib in District Ropar of Punjab. At his birth place now stands Gurdwara Sheesh Mahal Sahib. He was the son of Baba Gurditta Ji (1613-1638) and grandson of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib (1595-1644) the sixth Guru of the Sikh faith.

The martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two
younger sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, born to Mata Jito Ji,
which took place on December 12, 1705 is an unprecedented event and a major landmark in
the history of Sikhs. 

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib , the ninth prophet-teacher of the Sikhs was born on April 1, 1621 in Amritsar, Punjab was cruelly martyred by beheading him on November 11, 1675 in Chandni Chowk, Delhi under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb. At this place now stands Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi.