Baisakhi Customs and Traditions

Baisakhi is celebrated with energy and verve during the harvest season in mid April every year. It is a festival of the Sikh community of India and across the world. Although the term Baisakhi comes from Vaisakhi which has been derived from the word Vaishakh, a month of the Hindu calender. Indians of other regions and cultures too celebrate a harvest festival but they call it Vaisakhi. The basis of the two occasions, though, differs. Here are the various traditions and customs of Baisakhi.

Gurdwara Rituals
People of Sikh faith wake up early in the morning on Baisakhi day and visit gurdwaras to attend special prayer meetings. At the gurdwara, Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs is taken out ceremoniously and given a bath with milk and water and placed on its throne. The book is then read out to the followers gathered in the gurdwara.

After chanting of the sacred verses, amrit or holy nectar is prepared in an iron vessel and distributed amongst all gathered. Devotees sip amrit five times with a vow to work for the brotherhood, the Khalsa Panth, after which kirtans are sung by the people gathered.

At noon, after the Baisakhi ardas, the Karah Prasad or sweetened semolina is offered to the guru for his blessings. It is then distributed to the congregation. The ceremony culminates with a special guru-ka-langar or the community lunch.

Baisakhi Processions
Processions are held in which Guru Granth Sahib is taken out in a procession. At the head of the procession are the Panj Piaras (symbolize the journey made by the five fearless devotees from their homes to Anandpur, to be baptised by Guru Gobind Singh). The procession moves through the city to be welcomed by citizens and members of social and cultural societies. Colourful bhangra and gidda dance and mock duels are performed during Baisakhi processions.

Men wear the headgear (bana) of Guru Nanak and also of Guru Gobind Singh. In their discourse at the end of the ceremony, Sikh religious leaders express the need to promote charity by people of all ages.

Other Festivities
"Jatta aai Baisakhi". Baisakhi is New Year’s for the large farming community of Punjab and Haryana. It is also the time to harvest the rabi crop. Buying and wearing new clothes, singing and dancing to festive tunes are all a part of Baisakhi celebrations. In rural areas of Punjab, Baisakhi fairs are organised where many recreational activities are held among which wrestling bouts are a major attraction.

Baisakhi Gifts Ideas

Baisakhi is one the most joyous festival for Sikhs in Punjab. It is also the New Year in Assam and Bengal. Gifts are a significant aspect of Baisakhi festival.

Baisakhi Hampers
Gift Hampers comprising dry fruits hampers, chocolates, sweets hampers, fruits, flowers make an excellent gift choice for Baisakhi. Make the Baisakhi Festival more delightful and memorable by sending lovely baisakhi gift hampers and convey all best wishes to your dear ones.

Baisakhi Sweets
Sweet as the name suggests, adds sweetness to any occasion, special events and especially festivals. Specially in the Indian perspective, mithais are a much praised gift item on various Hindu festivals. Baisakhi is also not an exception to this. So, if you want to make your Baisakhi sweet, you should go for sweets.

Baisakhi Apparels
Apparels can also be one of the best gift items which you may present to your friends and relatives, this Baisakhi. A large variety of apparel items are available, specifically for the festival of Baisakhi. So, choose this special gift for the people who are special for you.

Baisakhi Dry Fruits
Dry fruits are not only good for health but, they are also an ideal gift item. People used to give dry fruit hampers to their near and dear ones on various festivals like Deepavali, Holi etc. Dry fruits are thus, a perfect gift for Baisakhi also. They can be given to anyone & everyone you like.

Baisakhi Festival

Baisakhi is on 13th April 2009, Monday

Baisakhi is one of the major festivals of Sikhs and is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and gaiety in the state of Punjab and all throughout the world where there is a significant Sikh population.

Baisakhi Festival falls on the first day of Vaisakh month (April-May) according to Nanakshahi or Sikh Calendar. For this reason, Baisakhi is also popularly known as Vaisakhi. According to English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to April 13 every year and April 14 once in every 36 years.

People of Punjab celebrate the festival of Baisakhi with exuberance and devotion. As the festival has tremendous importance in Sikh religion, major activities of the day are organized in Gurdwaras. People wake up early to prepare for the day. Many also take bath in the holy river to mark the auspicious occasion. At the end of the Baisakhi ardas, congregates receive specially prepared Kara prasad or sweetened semolina.