Vaisakhi,  as well as being the first month of the Sikh year, is a time to remember when  Guru Gobind Singh Ji began the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh Ji our tenth Guru, the  creator of the Khalsa Panth was a saint, soldier and a great philosopher. Throughout his life he professed the word of God, of His grace and of His unity.

At the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sikhs were being persecuted and killed for their faith and for what they believed in. History teaches that  whenever tyranny, oppression and suffering run riot in the world, God sends a true saint to see justice prevail. Guru Ji's followers would come to him and  tell him of the injustices they were facing at the hands of Mughal soldiers, how they were being robbed, assaulted and how their children and families were being slaughtered before their very eyes. Having listened to and watched the misery of his followers, Guru Ji decided that the only way to resolve such pain was to form themselves into a fighting force and defend their faith.

At the time  of the spring festival of Vaisakhi in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji called all the Sikhs to Anandpur Sahib. He made them realise that they had the power within themselves to stand upright and fend for their religion and beliefs. He, along  with all the other Guru's all came to the world to make us aware of the kindness and unity of Waheguru and to rid the world of hate, prejudice and fear and to  learn to live in harmony with our brothers and sisters.

He then asked if anyone was willing to die for their faith, no one answered, so he repeated his  question, "Is there any one of you who will give his head to prove his faith in me?" the crowd were astonished at such a request. Then, one man came forward, Daya Ram, the Guru took him into his tent. There was a thud, and the Guru returned with a blood stained sword. The  gathered crowd was terrified on his arrival, he asked the question again "Is  there any other true Sikh of mine who will willingly offer his head?" Nobody  dared to reply. Guru Ji repeated his call a second and third time. Then Dharam Das came forward prepared to die for his religion, the same thing happened again, a thud was heard and  people saw
a stream of blood coming from the tent. Guru Ji then reappeared  and asked for another Sikh who was prepared to give his head for his faith, at this point the crowd were terrified, and some started to walk away. But, even so Mokham Chand walked forward and  offered his head. In the same fashion, two others, Sahib  Chand and Himmat Rai placed their heads at the Guru's feet. Everyone thought the Guru had killed the five men and some thought he had gone mad, but  after the fifth man, the Guru returned walking alongside all the five men. They were dressed in yellow robes just like his own. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji named  them the Panj Piare they were to  be the first members of a new group