About Baisakhi (Vaisakhi)
Baisakhi, also spelled Vaisakhi, is a vibrant Punjabi harvest festival that also holds deep significance for Sikhs. It celebrates the spring harvest of winter-sown crops and marks the traditional Sikh new year. Above all, it commemorates the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, when he initiated the first five beloved ones, the Panj Pyare, establishing the distinct identity and code that Sikhs follow to this day.
Across Punjab and Sikh communities worldwide, the day is filled with joyful energy. Farmers give thanks for the harvest, and people gather for bhangra and gidda, the lively folk dances of the region. Gurdwaras hold special prayers, devotional singing, and community meals known as langar, and many take part in processions called Nagar Kirtan. Fairs, music, and feasting bring families and neighbours together in a spirited celebration of renewal and gratitude.
Unlike many Indian festivals, Baisakhi follows the solar calendar, so it falls around the middle of April each year, typically on the 13th or 14th. This makes its date far more consistent from year to year than festivals tied to the lunar calendar. The live countdown above tracks the next occurrence. You are welcome to add this countdown to your own page and follow the days leading up to the festivities.
Upcoming dates
| 2027 | Wednesday, April 14, 2027next |
| 2028 | Thursday, April 13, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, April 14, 2029 |
FAQ
When is Baisakhi this year and what date does it fall on?
Baisakhi follows the solar calendar and falls around the middle of April each year, usually on the 13th or 14th. Because it is solar rather than lunar, its date is far more consistent; the countdown above shows the next one.
Why is Baisakhi celebrated?
It marks the spring harvest in Punjab and the Sikh new year, and it commemorates the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is both an agricultural and a deeply spiritual occasion.
How is Baisakhi celebrated?
People celebrate with bhangra and gidda folk dances, fairs, music, and feasting. Sikhs gather at gurdwaras for prayers, langar, and processions known as Nagar Kirtan.
What is the Khalsa and its link to Baisakhi?
The Khalsa is the community of initiated Sikhs founded by Guru Gobind Singh on Baisakhi in 1699, beginning with the Panj Pyare. The festival commemorates this founding moment and the identity it established.