Baisakhi

Practice

Baisakhi, derived from the month of Vaisakh, is New Year's Day in Punjab. It falls on April 13, though once in 36 years it occurs on 14th April. Baisakhi is also special for the Punjab, as it was on this auspicious day 300 years ago (in 1699) that the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa (the Sikh brotherhood).

For the Sikhs, Baisakhi is their founding day. Sikhs visits gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and listen to kirtans (religious songs) and discourses. The Holy Scriptures known as the Granth Sahib is read and the book is then carried in a procession. The bhangra (Punjab's folk dance) is also performed on Baisakhi with great vigour and enthusiasm

. Processions are taken out, at the head of which are the Panj Piaras. Mock duels and bands playing religious tunes are part of the processions. Schoolchildren also enthusiastically take part in them. For people in villages this festival is a last opportunity for relaxing before they start harvesting the winter crop, mainly of wheat.

· Time:April

Place:Punjab, other areas of North India.