Baisakhi 2024: History and significance of the spring harvest festival

Baisakhi is connected to the Vaisakha holiday for Hindus, which is observed as the solar new year.

Baisakhi, a harvest festival popularly celebrated in Punjab and North India, unites farmers, family, and friends from all walks of life, as they welcome the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new crop year. It is one of the most significant celebrations of the year. Every year it is celebrated either on April 13 or 14. In 2024, Baisakhi falls on April 13.

In Punjab, Baisakhi is a harvest festival marking the beginning of the new farming year. Farmers celebrate the abundant crop and offer prayers for continued prosperity. Let’s have a look at the importance of the harvest festival and its golden history.

HISTORY
Since 1699, when the Sikhs' tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth, the collective designation for baptised Sikhs, the day has gained both historical and spiritual significance. According to folklore, Guru Gobind Singh summoned Sikh men willing to give their lives for their faith inside a tent on this day.

After a while, the five men who had decided to join him disappeared inside the tent, and Guru Gobind Singh emerged by himself, his blade slathered in blood. The guys soon reappeared donning turbans and emerged as the original Khalsa members, known as the Panj Pyare, or cherished five. The Guru sprayed them with Amrit, or holy water, baptising them.

SIGNIFICANCE

In the Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a well-known spring celebration that falls on the first day of the month of Vaisakh. The Punjabi and Sikh New Year, which is observed throughout India, but particularly in Punjab and the north, is about to begin. On this day, the community comes together to celebrate the start of the harvest season and spend time with their loved ones, prepare a variety of food and celebrate with great enthusiasm.

Sikhs honour Guru Gobind Singh, their tenth guru, on this day. Since it's a good day, there are a lot of locations in India where people can get baptised on this particular day.

In other parts of India, the other spring festivities that coincide with or fall on Baisakhi are celebrated as Pana Sankranti in Odisha, Poila Baisakh in West Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vaishakhi in Bihar, and Poooram Vishu in Kerala. Different parts of the country follow their customs and traditions while celebrating the start of the harvest season.

According to popular belief, Baisakhi is also linked to Buddhism as it is said that Gautama Buddha acquired enlightenment or Nirvana on this day.
Baisakhi is connected to the Vaisakha holiday for Hindus, which is observed as the solar new year.