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Happy Baisakhi 2025: Significance of Baisakhi, date, timing, celebrations, rituals, and more

Happy Baisakhi 2025: Significance of Baisakhi, date, timing, celebrations, rituals, and more

TOI Lifestyle Desk / etimes.in / Updated: Apr 12, 2025, 14:58 IST

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Baisakhi, observed primarily by the Sikh community, marks the start of the harvest season and holds cultural, agricultural, and religious importance. Celebrated on April 14th in 2025, it commemorates the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Festivities include prayers, processions, folk dances, and community meals, reflecting gratitude for the harvest and celebrating unity.

Happy Baisakhi 2025: Significance of Baisakhi, date, timing, celebrations, rituals, and more

Baisakhi celebration (Image: Canva)

Baisakhi is one of the many different festivals that Indians celebrate, especially the Sikh community.
Baisakhi, or Vaisakhi as many call it, is one of the most important Sikh festivals in India and marks the beginning of a new harvest season. It is important culturally, agriculturally, and also in the religious sense.

Baisakhi date and timing in 2025

In 2025, Baisakhi will be celebrated on Monday, April 14th.

According to Drik Panchang, “Vaishakhi on Monday, April 14, 2025
Vaishakhi Sankranti Moment - 03:30 AM
Mesha Sankranti on Monday, April 14, 2025�?br/>

Significance of Baisakhi festival

For Sikhs around the world, not just in India, Baisakhi is first a harvest festival, meant to mark a new day in agriculture and produce. And then in northern India, especially Punjab, this is the time when the wheat crop is ready to be harvested and so people use and celebrate this day to thank the Gods for a good harvest which will in turn ensure sustenance and income for them. Farmers see this day as an opportunity to thank nature too and ask for blessings for the next crops as well.

Poll

Do you think Baisakhi celebrations should include non-Sikhs?

No, it should remain a Sikh festivalYes, it's a community festival

Another significance of Baisakhi is related to religion. It is extremely sacred because in the year 1699, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji, founded the Khalsa Panth, a group of Sikhs who vowed to end and fight against oppression and injustice. On this day, the Panj Pyare were also chosen, 5 people who showed bravery, equality, and devotion in life.
And today, mixing it all up, Baisakhi is a bright and vibrant festival. People dance in joy, sing, eat together, organise carnivals, and so much more, just to get together with family and friends and celebrate.
Today, even non-Sikhs and people from other religions in Punjab and surrounding states take part in the festivities.

How is Baisakhi celebrated?

A typical day of Baisakhi starts like any other festival day with people waking up happy and full of joy looking forward to the celebrations. People wake up early, take a shower, wear new and clean clothes (the traditional ones), and then go on a visit to the nearest Gurudwaras.
In the Gurudwara, people and religious leaders organise prayers, kirtans, and paaths, and processions are carried out, also called Nagar Kirtan.
Many gurdwaras and people also organize langar service, which is basically distributing food as prasad to people in need.
And following the Gurudwara visits, people accompany their families to colourful processions. The streets are filled with men, women, and children, dressed in traditional attire and there are street performances of Gidda, Bhangra, folk music, folk arts, and much more.
People also go to carnivals and fairs that feature folk dances, music performances, wrestling competitions, and other fun activities. There are also game stalls for the little children, food stalls for adults serving food and desserts, and competitions to engage everyone.

An ode to agriculture

For the farming community too, Baisakhi is a time of celebration. After months of hard work in the fields, they finally reap the benefits of their hardwork and labour, and thank God and their land for the harvest they have reaped. They too sing and dance and rejoice over the crop.
There are special food preparations too with Sarson ka saag, makke ki roti, jalebi, kadhi and rice, Lassi, kheer, boondi laddoo, and much more. And people do not just prepare it at home and eat, but also share their preparations with neighbours, family, and friends.

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TOI Lifestyle Desk

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