Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi) refers to the harvest festival of thePunjab
region, the Punjabi new year falling on the same day, Khalsa Sirjana Divas and Mesha
Sankranti festival
Date and observance
The day represents the vernal (Spring) equinox which occurs around 21 March but the
day is marked on 13 or 14 April due to changes in the calendar
The festival is especially important for the Sikh community as it marks the establishment
of the Khalsa which is also termed Khalsa Sirjana Divas and falls on the first day of
Vaisakh which is the second month of the Nanakshahi calendar
In other cases, Vaisakhi falls on Mesha Sankranti (the first of the solar month of
Vaisakha) which marks the start of the solar new year across many parts of the subcontinent using luni-solar calendars and is important for Hindus. In regions where the
regional new year begins with the start of the lunar new year, Mesha Sankranti is also
considered to be an important day.
The festival also coincides with other new year festivals celebrated on the first day of
Vaisakh, in some regions of the Indian Subcontinent such as Pohela
Boishakhthe Bengali New Year, Bohag Bihu of Assam or Puthandu, the Tamil New Year.

Punjab region
Vaisakhi is a Punjabi harvest festival for people of the Punjab region.This day is also
observed as a thanksgiving day by farmers whereby farmers pay their tribute, thanking
God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity.

Aawat pauni
A tradition associated with harvesting is Aawat pauni which involves people getting
together to harvest the wheat. Drums are played whilst people work. At the end of the
day, people sing dohay to the tunes of the drum.

Bhangra
The harvest festival is also characterised by the folk dance Bhangra which traditionally is
a harvest dance.

Punjabi New Year

According to the Punjabi calendar, Vaisakhi is also the Punjabi New Year (occurring on
the first of the solar month of Vaisakh) based on the solar aspect of the Punjabi
calendar which in turn is based on the Bikrami calendar and is used by all communities.
The new year is observed throughout the Punjab region.[6] Hindus use the Punjabi
calendar as their religious calendar too. Fairs are organised on Vaisakhi day in Punjabi
villages.

Punjab, Pakistan
Vaisakhi is observed as a harvest festival in Punjab, Pakistan and the local new year irrespective of faith.[7] Vaisakhi
fairs are traditionally held in various places including Lahore.

Celebration
Vaisakhi/Khalsa Sirjana Divas is celebrated on the first day of the second month of Vaisakh according to
theNanakshahi calendar.The festival is usually celebrated on 13 April,[13] and occasionally on 14 April, across many
parts of the world. Although the official Sikh new year is observed on the first day of the Nanakshahi month of Chait,
as the Khalsa was formed on Vaisakhi, the festival is also considered as the Khalsa new year[14]with the era starting in
1699 A.D.

Names of festivals by region

The following is a list of new year festivals:
Bikhu or Bikhauti in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India
Bisu Tulu New Year Day amongst the Tulu people in India
Rongali Bihu in Assam, India
Edmyaar 1 (Bisu Changrandi) - Kodava New Year.
Maha Vishuva Sankranti (or Pana Sankranti) in Odisha, India
JurShital (New Year) in Mithila (parts of Nepal and Bihar, India)