Baisakhi: The Harvest Festival

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year day as it is not just a springtime harvest festival but also a day commemorative of the formation of Khalsa Panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699. The festival is celebrated to mark the onset of spring in India.

The time of Baisakhi usually signifies the end of harvest season and is an occasion of tremendous joy and festivals of farmers. Celebrations are concentrated in the state of Punjab and Haryana, where it is celebrated with lots of colours, boisterous food, music and dance.

In other parts of country, Baisakhi is known by diverse names Phoela Baisakh in West Bengal, Bohag Bisu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, and Bihu in Uttrakhand and by various other names in different parts.

When is Baisakhi Celebrated?

The word Baisakhi comes from the Hindu Calender month of Vaisakh. This is when the farmers in the northern part of India have harvested the season’s crop and gearing up for the next season’s sowing.

How is Baisakhi Celebrated?

The festival is celebrated with lots of joy and enthusiasm. Traditional folk dances are performed on this day. Events that depict the true culture of Punjab are organized and visitors as well locals participate in them with enthusiasm.

The traditional folk dance of Bhangra, essentially a harvest festival dance, is common in these cultural events. People flock to local fairs during this festival which is an integral part of Punjabi Culture.

Sikhs celebrate this festival with joy and devotion. They take an early bath, wear new clothes and visit the gurudwara to participate in special prayer meet marked for the day. Gurdwaras are celebrated with lights of various colours while the Sikh organize “Nagar Kirtan” a procession led by five Khalsa.

Dishes and Food prepared during Baisakhi

The Punjabi cuisine has special significance during the entire festival. Since the region is called as “Bread Basket of Nation” the traditional dish “Makki di roti and Sarso da saag” is a must décor of any Punjabi platter. 

Want to know more about such dishes here is a list of food items which are a must to try.

Gud Da Halwa

To relish your sweet tooth on Baisakhi, Gud Halwa is the best option to satiate your sweet desire after meal. The tasty cuisine is made of Ghee and Gud. Toppings of different dry fruits make it more delicious and you will fall in love in dish after trying the first spoon of it.

Kesari Chawal

This rice based cuisine is prepared with sugar syrup, dry fruits and fragrant saffron threads. It simply tastes delicious and can give you real food cravings during this time of festival.

Punjabi Kadhi Pakode

The cuisine is made of gram flour (besan) with the addition of different hot spices and full cream curd. The broth goes well with rice. The pakoda adds additional treat in tasty preparations.

There is something special about this festival that every year it attracts lots of visitors to celebrate this festival in the lands of its origin. If you want to know about Punjabi culture in deep then attending this festival is the best option you can opt for.

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This post is written by Ritika Arora: MyTravaly, Content Writer

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