Baisakhi is also known as Vaisakhi, is a joyous festival and is celebrated in various parts of India especially in Punjab. Baisakhi marks the beginning of the Solar New Year and harvesting season in India. On this day, farmers thank God for the good crops and pray for a rich harvest in the next season. The festival takes place on 13 April every year, but once in 36 years, it is celebrated on April 14. This year the festival is on 13 April. A Special Celebration of the festival takes place at the Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

 The Religious Significance of Baisakhi

Baisakhi has long been celebrated by Punjabis as a harvest festival, but this day also has religious significance behind it. In 1699 Guru Teg Bahadur the ninth Sikh guru who was beheaded by Aurangzeb and after his death his son Guru Gobind Singh became the 10th guru of Sikhism and led the foundation of Khalsa Panth of warriors.

 Guru Gobind Singh inspired Sikhs through his words to sacrifice their life for the country, 5 people came forward, the guru dressed them in yellow clothes and granted the title of panjpiara. From that day festival of Baisakhi was observed as the coronation of the last Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the foundation of the Khalsa Panth.

Baisakhi celebrations

Baisakhi is a festival celebrated with tremendous joy and happiness, especially among the Sikhs. On this day people perform many Baisakhi activities:

Visiting in Gurudwaras and Eating langar:

In the morning Sikhs take bath in the holy river and visit the Gurudwaras to take part in ardas and prayers held during the day, a sweet distributed to devotees known as Karah-Prasad. In the afternoon special lunch Guru-ka-langar is organized for all the devotees in the Gurudwara. All people whether they are rich or poor are equally serve with the same food.

Baisakhi Procession

Baisakhi procession is an important part of the festival which is also known as Nagar Kirtan. The procession of holy book Granth Sahib is taken out with honor which is lead by PanjPiaras (five senior religious Sikhs). Devotees participate in the Baisakhi procession by singing and chanting hymns and scripture. During the processions, youth show their skills in martial arts and make the event more colorful by swinging swords.

Dress, Dance, and Food

On this joyous occasion, people buy new dresses to wear on this occasion, women wear their custom salwar-kameez and men are seen in the kurta, pajama or lungi, and a turban on their heads. Traditional dance forms bhangra and gidda are performed to create an atmosphere of excitement and joy. At many places, Baisakhi fairs are held where Punjabi cuisines are served. All in all, Baisakhi is an occasion to dance, sing, eat and pray.