Baisakhi – also written as Vaisakhi is celebrated as a spring harvest festival, a solar new year, in the Indian state of Punjab. Baisakhi is the commemoration of the founding of the Sikh religion brotherhood (Khalsa), while the holiday is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in different ways throughout India. 

This year on April 14, the whole Punjab and many parts of Northern India will gear up to celebrate the harvest festival of Baisakhi. Book your cheap flights to India from Canada with Tripbeam and witness the farmers offering their prayers in thanks for a bountiful harvest of the Rabi crops. People celebrate the Baisakhi festival with a lot of fun, enthusiasm, and merriment. 

Baisakhi in Punjab

On this occasion, there is a state-wide holiday in Punjab. Offices, colleges, and schools remain closed to allow people to celebrate the event. Neighbors, friends, and relatives exchange gifts among themselves. Offices and businesses also give away gifts to their employees.

With all the gift exchanging there is usually a wave in shopping ahead of the festival. Many shops announce their annual sale offers and heavy discounts on a wide range of items. Even hotels announce huge discounts to lure in travelers from other states and countries to participate or observe the Baisakhi celebration. You can now book direct flights from Canada to Amritsar with Tripbeam at a very low price and fly to Punjab to celebrate Baisakhi. 

Why is Baisakhi Celebrated?

Baisakhi marks the foundation of Khalsa Panth under Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru in 1699. Khalsa Panth was formed after the execution of Guru Teg Bahadur Singh, who did refuse to follow Aurangzeb’s order and denied to convert to Islam. Apart from the formation of Khalsa Pant, Baisakhi also marks the harvest of Rabi crops. People also remember the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on this day. 

Rituals Performed During Baisakhi

In the early morning, people visit Gurudwara (temple) to attend special prayers. Many people from the Sikh community strive to visit the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar or Anandpur Sahib, where Khalsa was pronounced. On this holy day, the Granth sahib, or Holy Sculpture, is bathed with water and milk, placed on the throne, and read. 

In the afternoon, The Guru Granth Sahib is taken out during a procession accompanied by singing, music, performances, and enchanting. Sikhs also offer Kar Sewa by helping in the daily chores of the Gurudwaras. This is also a traditional symbol of humanity and an expression of modesty for all Sikhs. 

Baisakhi and Farmers

Punjab is very rich in agriculture. Since Baisakhi celebrates the harvest season of Rabi crops, it is a very important event for farmers in the region. This festival is commemorated as a day of thanksgiving to all the natural elements and the gods that facilitated a bountiful harvest. Farmers wear new clothes and visit temples and gurudwaras on this day. Baisakhi fairs, Gidda, and Bhangra performances are very common thing during this time in the state of Punjab. 

There are wrestling bouts, races, mock fights with Sikh Kirpans (swords), folk music, acrobatics to be seen in many parts of the state. You can also see numerous stalls selling handicrafts, trinkets, and local cuisine. 

Baisakhi is one of the most important festivals in Punjab and holds a special significance for the Sikh community. Book your economical flight tickets to India from Canada with tripbeam.ca and celebrate Baisakhi with enthusiasm and joy in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana. Call our travel executives at 1-888-536-1436 for more information on cheap flights to India.

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