Baisakhi Festival

Time of Celebration:	Hindu month of Vaisakh (April-May) and the usual date is 13th of April
Significance:	Marks the start of harvesting season in northern India and is also the birth anniversary of the Panth Khalsa (sect)

Baisakhi festival is a major Sikh festival celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and gaiety. This festival is celebrated not only in Punjab but also in all the places having a significant Sikh population. The festival of Baisakhi in Kashmir is celebrated in the Hindu month of Vaisakh (April-May), giving the name of Vaisakhi. The usual date of Baisakhi is the 13th of April, though it may vary by a day or two. The festival marks starting of the harvest season in Northern India and is also considered auspicious for marriage.

Baisakhi holds special importance for Sikhs as it represents the birth anniversary of their sect. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, founded the Panth Khalsa (sect) on the day of Baisakhi in the year 1699. On this day, a number of devotees plunge in the holy rivers, canals and ponds of their region for a holy dip. The Baisakhi festival in Kashmir is also characterized by a number of fairs that are organized on the day. The usual features of the Baisakhi are the performance of the bhangra and gidda dance.