1. THE KHALSA = a group of baptised Sikhs / Order of the Pure Ones
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THE KHALSA = a group of baptised Sikhs / Order of the Pure Ones
This group was created on an already special day in the Punjabi (Sikh) calendar a HARVEST FESTIVAL
This special day (in April) is known as VAISAKHI (also spelt Baisakhi) and it celebrates both the Harvest and more importantly the CREATION OF THE KHALSA

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Baisakhi is a New Year's Day in Punjab. The day is also a harvest festival, as it marks the maturing of the winter crop.

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This day is observed as the thanksgiving day by the farmers whereby the farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for the future prosperity.

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Typically Baisakhi is celebrated every year on 13 April with the festival date falling on 14 April once every 36 years.

5. On this auspicious day, traditionally, the Sikhs pay a visit to the Gurudwara and pay their respects. Religious discourses and kirtans are held at gurudwaras, and karah prasad is distributed.

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The festival bears a great significance for the Sikhs as on this day in the year 1699, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji laid down the foundation of the Panth Khalsa, that is the Order of the Pure Ones. 

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One day, a group of Sikh pilgrims arrived in Anandpur. The leader of one group, on seeing the Guru, made this request. "Only yesterday as we were on our way to you, a party of Mughal soldiers stopped us and robbed us. They took some of our party and cut of their hair and when we resisted some of our friends were killed. Where can we look for assistance?"

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The Khalsa Panth is born out of bravery – to be the Order/Brotherhood that provides assistance as guardians to help anyone anywhere, how was this group born? ….…

9. The Birth of Khalsa
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On Guru’s call, thousands of Sikhs assembled at Anandpur to celebrate the festival

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He asked the gathering, with a naked sword in his hand, "Is there any one among you who is prepared to die for the Sikh Faith …?”

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There was a deadly silence all around. Then the Guru flashed his sword again, raised his voice and repeated, "My Sikhs, I want a head and nothing less than a head. If anyone among you claims to be a true Sikh, then come forward and prove it."

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A Sikh from Lahore named Daya Ram stood up. He folded his hands, bent his head low and said, "O Lord, you can have my humble head."

13. Guru led him into the tent
Guru led him into the tent. A thud was heard and a stream of blood flowed out from the tent. At once the Guru came out holding the sword dripping with fresh blood and once again he shouted, "Is there any other true Sikh of mine who will willingly offer his head?"
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14. As he was repeating his call, another Sikh began to move forward
As he was repeating his call, another Sikh began to move forward. His name was Dharam Das, and he was from Delhi. He folded his hands before the Guru and said, "O my true Guru, take my head. I have full faith in you." 
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15. And so Guru Gobind Singh Ji repeated his calls while the scared gathering believed they had died. Mohkam Chand of Dwarka stood up at the third call, Sahib Chand of Bihar the fourth and at the fifth call Himmat Rai of Jagan Nath offered himself.
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Everybody was alarmed when suddenly Guru Gobind Singh Ji came out of the tent followed by the five Sikhs. They were all dressed in saffron uniforms, like the Guru himself, and carried swords. The Guru seated them on the platform. When the gathering saw them alive they all cheered, shouting "Sat Siri Akal." 

17. The Guru spoke to the Sikhs: "My brothers, I have made you the same as I am. There is no difference between you and me. You have passed my toughest test with honor. You are my five beloved ones."

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Then he turned to the crowd and spoke: "In the time of Guru Nanak it was Lehna alone who passed the Guru's test. Now two hundred years later five followers have passed the test. I think the five Sikhs are strong enough to support the edifice that Guru Nanak planned. I am creating the Khalsa, an army of saint soldiers which will spread through the country and abroad to proclaim Guru Nanak's message of peace and brotherhood. Through the Khalsa I shall work to bring about an Age of Peace, in which all virtuous people will be exalted and the evildoers will be destroyed. Hail to the Khalsa panth."

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The Guru then introduced his Sikhs to a new kind of initiation ceremony called the Amrit (Baptism). He put pure water into an iron bowl. He stirred the water with a Khanda (Double edged sword) while the five Sikhs recited the live sacred verses (the Japji, the Jap Sahib, the Anand Sahib, the Swayye and the Chaupai).

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Mata Sahib Kaur Ji participated in the sewa of the Amrit-Sanchaar by adding Pataasey (sugar wafers) to the Amrit, and was bestowed the honor of Eternal Motherhood of Khalsa Panth.

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Thus the Amrit was ready and the Guru asked the five to repeat "Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh" while he took the Amrit in the palms of his hands and baptised each one of them with it and gave them a new name - 'Singh'.

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Then he himself was baptised by 'the five' and called himself Gobind Singh.

23. THE KHALSA WAS BORN
It is hoped that all Sikhs will take the AMRIT baptism at some point in their lives but only when they feel ready to commit to the vows of the Khalsa Panth. One can take Amrit from a young age (i.e about 12 years old – or at any point in their lives – or NEVER). It is is personal choice.
Many Sikhs choose not to be baptised all their lives but may wear some of the 5 K’s.
The creation of the Khalsa also created the Sikh baptism ceremony (Amrit Sanaskar) conducted in Gurdwara’ s all over the world usually on Vaisakhi Day but can be conducted at other times of the year too.

24. Important Points
The Khalsa was created by the 10th Guru , Guru Gobind,Singh, to give an identity to Sikhs
The Guru wanted them to stand out and be proud to be a Sikh
The Guru wanted Sikhs to fight injustice wherever it may be regardless of a persons religion, background, ethnicity etc
He wanted the new Sikhs to have a secure sense of belonging (The Brotherhood – The Khalsa Panth)
He wanted Sikhs to spread the messages of Waheguru and aspire to a higher standard of living – bearing in mind the teachings of all the Guru’s.
He wanted the Sikhs to respect the concept of Martyrdom and its place in the Sikh faith.
He wanted anyone who saw a Khalsa Sikh to feel safe in the face of injustice
He recognised the formation of the Khals a had created the ‘baptism’ ceremony of taking Amrit (holy water/nectar)
He wanted the principles of Equality to come through by the formation of the Khalsa