In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine’s Day originated hundreds of years ago on the sub-continent, specifically in Punjab.
It is a well known fact that Sikhs are taught that men and women are equal and must treat each other with respect.
One fine day, however – it happened to be the 14th day of February – one desi who was living in Punjab and nevertheless abusive of his wife, found that his days of abusing his spouse had come to an end. The Punjaban, having had enough of “torture” from her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin).
Yes … the same velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him … only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.
This was a momentous occasion for all Punjabi women, and word quickly spread like wildfire to the rest of the land of a revolt and the proclamation that no Punjaban would ever tolerate abuse anymore.
Thousands of oppressed housewives retaliated against abusive husbands by beating them up with their velans.
There was an outburst of moaning “chapatti-ed” husbands all over the desi countryside. The Punjabi menfolk, always quick to learn, not only stuck to the lofty Sikh principles of mutual respect for the sexes, but took on the task of teaching the others as well.
When the desi womenfolk began the tradition of beating up their husbands on February 14, to commemorate that eventful day, it was time once again for Punjab to take the lead.
It was getting particularly worrisome that desi wives were beginning to enjoy beating up their husbands with the velans, and their men were beginning to relish the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.
Soon, the Punjabi men realized that in order to avoid this ordeal in their own homes, they need to do something drastic: they began to present gifts to their wives … flowers and mithaai (sweets)!
Hence the wonderful tradition began.
History tells us that the ritual then took root in England in the mid-nineteenth century, and then quickly spread to the American continent – obviously having been brought to the West by the Punjabi staff hired by Maharaja Duleep Singh during that time to take care of his grand “Elveden House” palace near Cambridge in England.
That day soon came to be called “Velan-time Day”.
The ritual soon spread to wherever Sikhs went, with the old catch words “Velan-time!”
The Europeans, known for their misspellings of all things Eastern, quickly anglicized it, first to “Valentime Day” and then to “Valentine Day”.
And so, thereafter, the 14th day of February came to be known as Valentine’s Day!
And this is the absolute truth! An Indian News Report says so.
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Ask any of your Punjabi friends if they ever heard of this story, or is they think the story is true. I think it is a clever joke of tying various elements to try to form a seemingly coherent story. Such an incredible story should be reported widely like the origin of Gong Xi Gong Xi song, but it is not. Let us know your comments by posting below.
Did Valentine’s Day Originated from Punjab’s “Velan (Rolling Pin) Time” Story, or is it Fake News?
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