Happy Vaisakhi!

Vaisakhi (Vu-sah-kee – or Baisakhi, depending on dialect), is considered to be the most important day observed by Sikhs, usually on the 13th or 14th of April. This year, it falls on Friday 14th April and, as always, they’ll be A LOT of celebrations taking place across the globe.

So… what is Vaisakhi? 

Traditionally, the date was seen as a festival in the Punjab (north India) celebrating the spring harvest. Then, in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and last human Guru (teacher), chose the date to establish Sikhism as a collective faith, making it the most important day marked in the Sikh calendar. On this date, the Khalsa was born – the Khalsa is a collective name given to Sikhs who have been baptised.

How do Sikhs celebrate?

Sikhs will visit Gurdwara’s (places of worship), which are often decorated for the occasion. There will also be parades and special processions on and around the date, with music and kirtans (singing of hymns). I grew up in the West Midlands where there is a significant Sikh population, and on the weekend following Vaisakhi, there is often a Nagar Kirtan, which is when people sing and chant hymns in the city streets from one Gurdwara to another – the streets will be cordoned off to allow for this procession. There is also a Vaisakhi mela or sports day, with stalls, food, music, a fairground etc. where everyone (whether you believe in the faith or not) can attend for free to join in the fun. Good vibes only!

Where will festivities be in the UK this year?

There will be celebrations all over the country. Trafalgar Square will also see celebrations on Saturday 22 April (12:00 – 18:00) with langar (free food and tea), music from the Dhol Academy, performances from Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara (performing a Sikh martial art), entertainment from Manika Kaur, Amrit Kaur and The TablaJedi, art exhibitions, and educational talks on Vasakhi. So, a lot of exciting, vibrant, family fun.

Authored by Sabrina Gill, Senior Account Director