The auspicious festival of Baisakhi is celebrated on first day
of Vaisakh month (April-May) according to the Nanakshahi calendar.
Hence, the festival of Baisakhi is also popularly known as
Vaisakhi.
According to Gregorian Calendar, Baisakhi falls on April 13 every year
and on April 14 once in 36 years. This variation in date is due to the
fact that date of Baisakhi is reckoned according to the Indian solar
calendar and not the lunar calendar.
Time for Harvest of Rabi Crop
Vaisakhi marks the beginning of the new spring year and the end of the
harvest of rabi crop in India. The festival is celebrated with lot of
enthusiasm in agriculture dominated state of Punjab and Haryana. Here,
farmers thank God for the bountiful harvest and pray for prosperity in
the coming year. To celebrate the day, people wake up early and take a
dip in the holy rivers. Soon after, cries of
“Jatta aai
Baisakhi" rent the skies as the people of Punjab attired in
their best clothes break into the Bhangra dance to express their joy.
Astrological Significance of Baisakhi Date
The date of Baisakhi has major astrological significance as it marks
the sun’s entry into Mesh Rashi. Some people therefore know
Baisakhi as
Mesha Sankranti. The auspicious date of Baisakhi is
celebrated as 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, ‘Puthandu’
in Tamil Nadu, 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala and ‘Vaishakha’ in
Bihar.
Significance of Baisakhi Date in Sikhism
The date of Baisakhi festival has tremendous significance in Sikhism.
They celebrate the festival as a collective birthday of the tenth Sikh
Guru, Guru Gobind Singh and the foundation of the Khalsa (the Sikh
brotherhood) in 1699. Sikhs all over the world celebrate the day with
lot of enthusiasm and joy.
