Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is a major Indian festival which celebrates the beginning of Sikhism as a faith.
The festival falls on the first day of Vaisakhi, which is the second month in the Indian national calendar, and the date often varies depends on the solar calendar.
It's enjoyed as a harvest festival in the state of Punjab, where it is observed as a public holiday. Several cities around the world celebrate Vaisakhi with various public events.
Here's everything you need to know about Vaisakhi, including its history and significance as well as the events taking place in the UK this year.
What date is Vaisakhi celebrated?
Vaisakhi falls on Thursday, April 14 in 2022. The festival usually falls on April 13 or 14 every year, on the first day of the Indian month Vaisakha, also known as Vaisakh in the Hindu calendar, where it is the first month of the year.
Every 36 years it falls on April 15 instead of the typical date. The date is also determined by the solar calendar, marking the sun's entry into the sign of Aries.
The festival is often also considered the beginning of summer, which is when storms called Kalboishakhi sweep from the north-west of India at the end of a hot day.
What is the history and significance of Vaisakhi?
Vaisakhi was first celebrated as a harvest festival in Punjab, before later becoming an important date to the Sikhs.
In 1699, spiritual leader Guru Gobind Singh chose the festival to establish the Khalsa, which is the collective name given to Sikhs who've been baptised.
The story behind it goes that at the festival, the Guru came out of a tent carrying a sword and said that any Sikh prepared to give his life for his faith should come into the tent.
Five men went into the tent, and the Guru came out alone with blood on his sword. However, the five men then followed him out from the tent, unharmed and wearing turbans.
These five men - who were the first members of the Khalsa - came to be known as Panj Piare or the 'Beloved Five.' They were baptised by the Guru, who said prayers and sprinkled holy water - known as Amrit in the Sikh language - on them.
This ritual became the foundation of the Sikh baptism ceremony.
What are the traditions of Vaisakhi?
Sikh communities traditionally celebrate Vaisakhi with processions called nagar kirtan, which translates to town/neighbourhood hymn singing, with nagar meaning town and kirtan meaning singing of hymns.
The processions will be led by five Sikhs wearing yellow and orange coloured ceremonial clothing, representing the Punj Pyare.
These will include music, dance consisting of Dohl drummers and performers of Sikh martial art Gatka as well as floats carrying women and spiritual leaders.
The Sikh holy book, which contains the hymns from Guru Granth Sahib, is carried in the processions in a place of honour.
To celebrate the festival, Sikhs will also visit their places of worship called Gudwaras, which will be especially decorated for the occasion.
Punjabi farmers use Vaisakhi as an opportunity to give thanks for a plentiful harvest as well as pray for a good one in the year ahead.
What events are happening in UK for Vaisakhi?
In India, big celebrations of Vaisakhi usually take place in the city of Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, which is where Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa.
However, the festival is celebrated across several cities in the world, which have significant Sikh populations, including the UK.
In Birmingham, Vaisakhi is celebrated every year with two processions - one from Hockley and one from Smethwick - making their way to a huge mela taking place at Handsworth Park. These processions were cancelled last year due to Covid.
The Sikhs of Sutton Coldfield typically hold an event for the festival, with the Vaisakhi Celebrations With Garry Sandhu & Khan Saab, also set to take place at the International Conference & Banqueting Centre in Wolverhampton on April 30, 2022.
In Leicester, festivities kicked off on April 12 with a three-day celebration at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara Sahib temple on East Park road.
There was also a 48-hour service in the lead up to April 14, giving the Sikh community a chance to pay their respects. Chanting of hymns and prayers will to go on till April 16, when it will taken place at all nine Gudwaras in Leicester.
Renowned community kitchen, Langar, will be open for people to come together to cook and eat for free. The processions in Leicester has been pushed back to Sunday, May 1.
Meanwhile, London's Vaisakhi festival has finally returned to Trafalgar Square after two years. The event, which will be hosted by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, will take place on Saturday, April 16 from 1pm to 6pm.
There will be plenty of music from a 10-piece marching band from Asian British Music and other musicians, as well as Gatka performances. Free light bites and Indian tear will also be available
Kids will be able to enjoy activities like mala making, khanda colouring etc, with opportunities for all to learn more about Vaisakhi through an interactive and educational talk area.
