Baisakhi - The India Explorer

Baisakhi is coming up! This beautiful Punjabi festival is loved by all Punjabis and celebrated all over the world. It is so popular that a national holiday is also observed on this day in many parts of India. Let’s take a look at Baisakhi 2024 in detail! What is Baisakhi? Baisakhi is a celebration in Punjab that is important to Sikhs of the world. The festival takes place on the first day of the Punjabi New Year and marks an important day in the lives of all Sikhs and farmers. Baisakhi is a holiday in India that celebrates the arrival of spring. The festival of Baisakhi often marks the conclusion of the harvest season and is a time of great joy and celebration for farmers. The festivities are focused in the states of Punjab and Haryana. In different regions of India, Baisakhi is known by many names, including Bohag Bihu in Assam, Bihu in Uttarakhand, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and Maha Vishuva Sankranti in Odisha. How is Baisakhi Celebrated? On the day of Baisakhi, Sikhs wake up early and visit Gurudwaras to pay their respects. The three most famous ones are The Golden Temple, Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. After the rituals, they sing and dance in merriment. A traditional langar also happens in the afternoon, during which everyone shares food in the Gurudwaras. The whole day is spent singing and dancing Bhangra. The dance here is marvellous, and its energy is even better! As an offering, the Karah Prashad, a mixture of semolina, wheat, sugar and clarified butter, is given. Grand processions, called the Nagar Kirtan, are also held, during which devotional songs are played. History of Baisakhi Baisakhi has been celebrated by Sikhs for a long. The day commemorates the foundation of the Khalsa Panth in 1699 by Guru Govind Singh. Not only that, but the winter crops are also ready to be harvested by this time, and as agriculture is important to Sikhs, this day is extremely important to them! Baisakhi 2024 Date This year, Baisakhi will be celebrated on the 13th of April, which falls on Saturday. 5 Best Places to See Baisakhi in India! Let’s take a look at where you can witness this energetic and marvellous festival in India! 1. The Golden Temple, Amritsar Amritsar is home to the world-famous Golden Temple, which is covered in real gold! This Gurudwara sees the festival in all its glory as it is the most important temple for Sikhs. It holds the best Nagar Kirtan that you can participate in as well. Other Places of Interest in Amritsar: Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar Market, Partition Museum 2. Delhi Many Sikhs and Punjabis have made Delhi their home for ages. Due to the high population, Delhi sees some of the best Baisakhi celebrations in the country. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Rakab Ganj Sahib are famous for their Baisakhi celebrations, which are decorated with full zest during the day. During the festival, Delhi also hosts many cultural events, music performances, dances and more. Other Places of Interest in Delhi: Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Hauz Khas 3. Ludhiana Ludhiana is a popular city in Punjab known for its authentic Punjabi culture, places, and food. Here, the streets are decorated with flowers and lights, and vibrant colours shine through them. You can witness Bhangra and Gidda as you savour some delicious Punjabi dishes! Other Places of Interest in Ludhiana: Gurudwara Nanaksar Jagroan, Punjab Agricultural University Museum, Phillaur Fort 4. Anandpur Sahib This is one of the most important places to see and celebrate Baisakhi. It is the place where Khalsa was born. The historical city celebrates the well-known Hola Mohalla festival, which features breathtaking performances of martial arts, recreated battles, and colourful processions. This city is on the edge of the Shivalik Hills, and you can marvel at the Himalayas from here! 5. Haryana Haryana is the state that borders Punjab and also celebrates this vibrant festival. The state celebrates the festival in full zest with colourful decorations, energetic music, Bhangra, Gidda, langars and more! Other Places of Interest in Haryana: Gurugram, Kurukshetra, Chandigarh Conclusion On the occasion of Baisakhi 2024, let’s all be grateful for the food we eat and the life that has been gifted to us. Celebrate this energetic festival in the best parts of India and experience the thrill of it as you dance away to Bhangra songs!