Baisakhi is a festival celebrated as the Harvest Festival of Punjab. People of Punjab celebrate Baisakhi or Vaisakhi on the first day of Baisakh month. Farmers of Punjab harvest their crops and they celebrate the first harvesting of the year as a festival. Baisakhi is celebrated in many North Indian states, but Punjab is very famous for its Baisakhi festival celebration.
In the year 2025, we will celebrate the Baisakhi Festival date April 13, 2025, Sunday. In the 21st century, the dates of Baisakhi may vary to 12th April or 14th April.
Vaisakhi is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Poila Baisakh, Bihu, Vishu and Puthandu. Baisakhi is also pronounced as ‘Vaisakhi’ and the name of the month comes from Visakha Nakshatra.
History of Baisakhi in Punjab
Baisakhi is a festival that often brings to mind the vibrant culture of Punjab and the Sikh community. For Sikhs, it marks the New Year and the start of the harvest season, but it holds much deeper significance.
On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, founded the Khalsa Panth, an important milestone in Sikh history.
This day, also called Khalsa Sirjana Diwas, transformed Baisakhi into a sacred occasion.
Before 1699, Baisakhi was celebrated with joy across Punjab as a harvest festival. With the formation of the Khalsa, it gained profound spiritual importance.
Additionally, in 1801, it was on Baisakhi that Ranjit Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, adding another historical layer to the day’s significance.
Baisakhi Celebration in Punjab
Baisakhi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Punjab. Here’s a simple step-by-step explanation of how the festival is enjoyed:
- Harvest Festival:
Baisakhi marks the harvest of the Rabi crops. Farmers are thankful for a bountiful harvest and pray for prosperity in the future. - Colorful Carnivals:
People wear dynamic new clothes and join the festive mood. - Fairs and Meals:
Many places in Punjab organize fairs and resident meals, bringing people together. - Religious Gatherings:
- An annual Mela is held at Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur, the birthplace of the Khalsa Panth, with a grand caravan.
- Large crowds gather at Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar for special prayers.
- Celebrations are also held at Talwandi, where Guru Gobind Singh completed the recompilation of the Granth Sahib.
- Traditional Festivities:
The festival is filled with music, feasting and traditional folk dances like Bhangra.
Baisakhi is a joyful experience that merges cultural and spiritual importance with energetic celebrations.
Baisakhi in Other States of India
Other states also celebrate Baisakhi but in their own culture. Here is the list of Baisakhi festivals in different states of India.
Vishu in Kerala
Vishu, celebrated in Kerala, marks the first day of the Malayali month Medam. It is an earnest festival where people start the day by viewing optimistic things. Families come together, wear new clothes, enjoy fireworks, and prepare a special dish called Sabda. Devotees pray to Lord Vishnu and Krishna and visit temples.
Bohag Bihu in Assam
Rongali Bihu, or Bohag Bihu, marks the Assamese New Year and is celebrated for a week.
It is also known as Vishuva Sankranti and represents joy and new starts.
There are three types of Bihu: Rongali, Kongali, and Bhogali, each linked to different stages of the rice farming cycle. This festival is a vibrant celebration of Assam’s culture and agriculture.
Poila Baisakh in Bengal
Poila Baisakh celebrates the Bengali New Year and the festival of Mangal Shubhojatra. Celebrated in Bengal and Tripura, it is a day for feasts, new clothes, and meeting loved ones.
Cultural events like music and dance competitions are held. Poila Baisakh is recognized as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Maha Vishuba Sankranti in Odisha
Maha Vishuba Sankranti marks the Odia New Year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
People decorate doorways with Neem leaf garlands and prepare a special drink called Panna.
Tulsi Mata is worshipped, and folk dances like Chhau are performed in honor of Lord Shiva. The day is full of cultural festivities and traditions.
Puthandu in Tamil Nadu
Puthuvarusham, the Tamil New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai.
Homes are cleaned, new clothes are worn, and fruit trays are prepared for guests. Families visit temples and enjoy festive feasts, and youngsters seek blessings from elders. It’s a day of joy, togetherness, and tradition.
Baisakhi in Other Regions of India
Besides these states, Vaisakhi is celebrated as Jur Sital in the Mithila area of Bihar and some parts of Nepal in their traditional forms.
Vaisakhi in Himachal Pradesh is an important festival. People bathe early and light lamps which are set in houses along with puja components.
Baisakhi is celebrated on river banks, lake coasts and ponds in Jammu. Folk dance performances and meals are held in many places. Baisakhi is particularly important for the Dogra community of Jammu.
Vaisakhi is also celebrated by the Indians across the world. The US, UK and other European countries with large Indian existence witness gatherings of Indians in temples and other community centers.
The Sikhs and Punjabis, particularly in Canada, the US and Malaysia celebrate as they would have in India.
