Vaisakhi: The story behind the Sikh festival

The Sikh celebration called Vaisakhi happens annually either on 13th or 14th day of April. The origins of Vaisakhi stem from a spring harvest festival native to the Punjab region of South Asia, but more importantly marked as a religious significance for Sikhs.
“Vaisakhi celebrates the culmination of a centuries-long journey, from the foundation of the faith in 1469, to ensure equality of all people — regardless of race, gender, faith, nationality, or any other identity,” Sumeet Kaur Bal, communications director for Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, told NBC News. “This journey culminated in the institutionalization of the Sikh identity and our shared values, which occurred on Vaisakhi.”
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666-1708) — the tenth Sikh guru-prophet — gathered a record number of Sikhs to formally establish the Khalsa Panth, a community of initiated Sikhs. The Khalsa Panth was formalized and entrusted as the collective body with authority. It is important to note that Sikhism was born at a time of great inequality and injustice in India — which in many ways continues today, according to Bal.
“Guru Gobind Singh Ji vested power in the Khalsa Panth, or Sikh familyhood, to be politically and civically engaged and combat injustice in the world around us, but to have this engagement guided and fueled by our understanding of religion,” Bal said.
Sikhism is a monotheistic faith founded on the principles of equality, freedom of religion, and community service. As the fifth-largest religion in the world, one of the core teachings of the Sikh tradition is that all Sikhs must cultivate spirituality while also serving the world around us. Sikhs, both men and women, cover their uncut hair with a turban which represents a commitment to equality and justice.
“One of the many terms that captures this outlook is sant-sipahi, which translates to saint-soldier,” Simran Jeet Singh, senior religion fellow for the Sikh Coaltion, told NBC News. “Maintaining such a balance is a difficult thing to do, yet being both spiritually focused and politically engaged is an integral part of the Sikh faith.”
Additionally, Baisakhi is a harvest festival and the start of the new agricultural year in Punjab, where farmers give thanks for the bountiful harvest and pray for future prosperity. For Hindus, Baisakhi is associated with the Vaisakha festival, celebrated as the solar new year. It is a time for bathing in sacred rivers, worship, and community fairs, as mythologically, it is believed that Goddess Ganga descended to Earth on this day, leading many to take holy dips in rivers like the Ganges, Jhelum, and Kaveri.
Baisakhi is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in Punjab and Haryana. People participate in traditional folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda, wear vibrant clothes, and enjoy festive foods. In essence, it’s a festival that embodies the spirit of joy, reflection, and renewal, marking the beginning of a new year and commemorating significant historical events.
Welcoming the Festival of Joy and Happiness
Baisakhi is celebrated with great pomp and extreme happiness, especially by the Sikhs. The gurdwaras are cleaned and decorated. Many people throng to the gurdwaras to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the almighty for the prosperous year ahead. Overall, the Baisakhi celebrations are carried out by the Sikhs in a very well planned manner.
Morning Prayer in the Gurdwaras
In the morning, the Sikh people take bath and wear the new clothes. The Sikh families then assemble at the gurdwaras to attend a specially organized prayer in the morning. After the prayer is over, the devotees are distributed a sweet known as the ‘Kada Prasad’.
Langar for the worshippers
In the afternoon, around lunch time, a langar (vegetarian food) is organized for the devotees in the gurdwara. All the people whether they are rich or poor are equally served the same food. There is no discrimination followed in the gurdwara.
Procession of Guru Granth Sahib
The procession of Guru Granth Sahib is known as Nagar Kirtan in Punjabi. It is a religious procession accompanied by holy hymns and is an important part of the festival of Baisakhi. The procession is always led by the Panj Pyare (the five beloved ones who form the central part of the Khalsa), who are dressed in saffron. They are followed by the holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib, and other members of the procession. The road through which the procession is to pass is cleared beforehand by the sewadars (volunteers). The procession finally comes to a halt at a particular Gurudwara where Ardas (prayers) is offered.
Worshippers dance their heart out
Any Baisakhi celebration is termed to be incomplete without the memorable dance performances. There are two prominent forms of dance that are performed by the Sikhs – bhangra and gidda. Bhangra is essentially a high energy dance that involves plenty of jumping. It is generally performed by both men and women. Gidda is another folk dance traditionally performed by the women. The dance reflects the celebratory mood of the women and their joyful spirits.
Day to Receive Guru’s Blessings for Sikhs
According to a popular legend in Sikhism, it was on the day of Vaisakhi in 1567 that Guru Amar Das had first institutionalized Vaisakhi as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to receive the guru’s blessings at Goindwal.
Foundation of Arya Samaj
The day of Vaisakhi Festival is also important for the Hindus as it on this day in 1875 that Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj – a reformed sect of Hindus who are devoted to the Vedas for spiritual guidance and have discarded idol worship.
Attainment of Nirvana
by Gautam Buddha
For the Buddhist, the day of Vaisakhi Festival is significant, as according to a popular legend it was on this auspicious day that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment or Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree in the town of Gaya. For this reason, the day of Vaisakhi is celebrated as Buddha Purnima is several parts of the country.
Vaisakhi Celebration in India
The auspicious day of Vaisakhi is celebrated all over India though under different names and with different set of rituals. People of Assam celebrate April 13 as Rongali Bihu, while those in West Bengal celebrate it as Naba Barsha. Bihar celebrates Vaisakhi as Vaishakha in honour of the Sun God, Surya while Kerala celebrates it asVishu and Tamil Nadu as Puthandu. In Kashmir, a ceremonial bath and general festivity mark Vaisakhi while in Himachal Pradesh devotees flock to the temple of Jwalamukhi and take a holy dip in the Hot Springs.
Celebrations around the world
Most of us know that Vaisakhi celebration commemorates the anniversary of the Khalsa which was laid down by Guru Gobind Singh. Though it signifies its establishment in India, Sikh communities all around the world engage in an overwhelming festivity to mark this auspicious day.
Pakistan
The festivities of Vaisakhi are widely celebrated by the Sikhs of Western Punjab in Pakistan. The celebrations are observed on the Panja Sahib complex in Hasan Abdal, numerous Gurudwaras in Nankana Sahib and various historical sites in Lahore.
Malaysia
Earlier Malaysia did not observe Vaisakhi to be considered as a public holiday, since the Sikh community ranked among the minorities here. However in 2013 Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that all Sikh government servants would be granted leave on the same occasion. The celebrations in Malyasia typically take place in the form of ‘open houses’.
United States
Los Angeles and Manhattan are the two primary places that epitomize Vaisakhi celebrations. The Sikhs of Manhattan offer ‘Seva’ to the community by offering food and contribute to the completion of labour oriented tasks. A full day Kirtan is also hosted at the Gurudwara which is followed by a procession.
United Kingdom
Birmingham being the largest concentration of Sikhs makes a point to celebrate this festival king size. More than one lakh people make it to the festivity at the Handsworth Park. This year it’s going to get bigger as the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham is marking their 25th anniversary. The celebration will be followed by a Simran which is the remembrance of God by repetition or recital of his name during a spiritual meditation.
Canada
Canada has the most of Sikh population and the celebrations of Vaisakhi here are considered as a global phenomenon. A massive parade is observed with more than 2 lakh participants. With an array of entertaining performances, the celebrations consist of floats represented by various communities.

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