Month : April
Place : Punjab, India
Famous For : Cultural Festival
Attractions : Fairs, Food, Dances, Martial Arts, Religious Gatherings.
Baisakhi is one of the most popular festivals of north India. It is celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year. Baisakhi marks the time for harvest of rabi crops and is celebrated by farmers all over north India with great enthusiasm and splendor. Baisakhi holds special importance for Sikh religion also. On the day of Baisakhi in 1699, their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh laid the foundation of Panth Khalsa - the Order of the Pure Ones. From then onwards, Sikhs all over the world celebrate this day as "Khalsa Sirjana Diwas" - Khalsa's Birthday with great devotion and gaitey. Main attractions of Baisakhi are the joyful folk dances of Punjab - bhangra and gidda.
According to Nanakshahi or Sikh Calendar, Baisakhi Festival is celebrated on the first day of Vaisakh month (April-May). According to English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to April 13 every year and April 14 once in every 36 years. This difference in Baisakhi dates is due to the fact that day of Baisakhi is reckoned according to solar calendar and not the lunar calendar. Baisakhi is celebrated throughout the country with different names and with variant rituals. Baisakhi date coincides with 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala.
Festival of Baisakhi is celebrated throughout India with great prompt & jubilation. The air is filled with an enthusiastic festive atmosphere. Fairs are organized where people sing, dance, and celebrate the grand social party. 'Bhangra' & 'Gidha' - the two folk dances of Punjab mark the jubiliant festivity of Baiskahi. Sikhs celebrate this day by paying visit to religious centres (gurudwaras). A procession is organized under the leadership of 'Panj Pyaras', The procession moves through the major localities of the city amidst the rendition of devotional songs by the participating men, women and children. Mock duels, bhangra and gidda performances make the procession joyous and colourful. Many also take bath in the holy river to mark the auspicious occasion.
The festival of Baisakhi holds utmost importance to the farming community of Punjab and Haryana, Baisakhi marks a New Year"s time as it is time to harvest rabi crop. On Baisakhi, farmers thank god for the bountiful crop and pray for good times ahead. People buy new clothes and make merry by singing, dancing and enjoying the best of festive food.
The hectic farming schedule tuns into zestful movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads and dhol music. Cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi", rent the skies as gaily men and women break into the bhangra and gidda dance to express their joy. In several villages of Punjab Baisakhi Fairs are organized where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held.
Official Website :http://www.baisakhifestival.com/
