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Festival Profile

Baisakhi

Punjabi harvest festival and the Sikh New Year, celebrated with bhangra and gratitude.

All festivals

Baisakhi is the Punjabi harvest festival and the Sikh New Year, a day of gratitude, devotion and the founding of the Khalsa.

Stories behind the festival

Founding of the Khalsa

Kali Yuga
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh gathered the Sikhs at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi and founded the Khalsa, initiating the Five Beloved Ones (Panj Pyare) and giving Sikhs a distinct identity of courage and equality.
Sikh historical tradition (Khalsa, 1699)

Founding of the Khalsa

Kali Yuga
In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh gathered the Sikhs at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi and founded the Khalsa, initiating the Five Beloved Ones (Panj Pyare) and giving Sikhs a distinct identity of courage and equality.
Sikh historical tradition (Khalsa, 1699)

Why we celebrate

Baisakhi is the Punjabi harvest festival and the Sikh New Year, a day of gratitude, devotion and the founding of the Khalsa.
Sikh tradition; Punjab regional tradition

When

Baisakhi falls on 13 or 14 April each year, on the first day of the month of Vaisakh.

Since when it is followed

As a harvest festival it is ancient; the Khalsa founding dates to 1699 CE.
Sikh historical tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated by Punjabis and Sikhs worldwide.

Origin

Baisakhi is both a harvest festival and the Sikh New Year; in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa on this day.
Sikh history (Khalsa, 1699)

Key deities

In the Sikh tradition, the teachings of the Gurus; in the harvest tradition, thanks for the crops.

How to celebrate

Visit the gurdwara, take a holy dip in rivers, perform the traditional bhangra and giddha dances, and share harvest meals.

Rituals & offerings

Kirtan in gurdwaras, holy bathing, bhangra/giddha, and community meals.

Key facts

Baisakhi marks the solar New Year in the Nanakshahi calendar.
Nanakshahi calendar tradition
Baisakhi marks the solar New Year in the Nanakshahi calendar.
Nanakshahi calendar tradition