It does not take any special occasion for the people of Punjab to indulge in celebration and merrymaking. Baisakhi is just another festival to rejoice. It marks the arrival of the harvesting season, befitting of a predominantly agricultural state that prides itself on its food-grain production. The word 'Baisakhi' is derived from the name of the month Vaisakha (April-May), a time when the farmer returns home with a good harvest. A special day for the Sikhs, it holds immense significance for them. On this day in 1699, their tenth Guru Gobind Singh organized the order of the Khalsa. On this day also, Guru Arjan Das was martyred by the Muslim rulers in barbaric cruelty.

Features of Baisakhi in Punjab

• Baisakhi is a harvest festival which is celebrated on the thirteenth day of April according to the solar calendar.
• It is celebrated when the Rabi crop is ready for harvesting.
• When everyone is free from the works of cutting and gathering of the grains, it is time to relax, time to sing and dance.
• This is the time when cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi" reverberate everywhere. People sport their best attires and accessories and sing and dance to express their joy.
• Men do Bhangra by pounding the ground with vigorous steps accompanied with singing.
• The womenfolk too indulge in merrymaking doing the Gidda dance.
• The dancers and drummers challenge each other to continue the dance.
• The dances involve movements depicting scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops through boisterous movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads.
• Generally, the sites of these festivities are on the banks of the rivers which have their own significance with myths and legends woven around their origin and names.
• Fairs are organized at various places in Punjab where recreational activities and even wrestling bouts are arranged for.
• Talwandi Sabo is an important site for celebration. Here Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nine months and completed the re-compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib.
• The Sikhs visit gurudwaras and distribute kada prasad.
• Colorful processions led by the Panj Piaras or the five religious men, are taken out.
• Kirtans and recital of passages from the Granth Sahib are performed in gurdwaras.
• People receive the prasad and perform kar sewa that is, offering help in the daily chores of the gurdwara.

Season of Baisakhi in Punjab

April is the month when Baisakhi is celebrated.

How To Reach Punjab

Reaching the land of Baisakhi is not difficult at all.

By Air Chandigarh and Amritsar are the two major airports, connected to other cities in India by regular flights. Indian airlines do have regular flights from Chandigarh to Delhi, Lucknow, Leh, and Amritsar.

By Rail
Punjab is well connected with other parts of the country by rail. Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Jalandhar are the major railway hubs in Punjab.

By Road
State Highways connect major cities to the state capital. NH 1 or the Grand Trunk Road connects the state with most of the north as well as east India.

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