When is Baisakhi 2022: Date, History, Story, Significance and all you need to know about Vaisakhi

Baisakhi, also called Vaisakhi or Vaisakh Sankranti, is an annual festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour by Sikhs and Hindus. It is a spring harvest festival and so it generally falls in mid-April every year. Many Hindus also believe that Baisakhi marks the beginning of the New Year, however, it is not a universally accepted date. While the festival is celebrated by Sikhs across the world, in India it is majorly celebrated in the states of Punjab and Haryana. While the festival is popularly known as Baisakhi or Vaisakhi or Vaisakh Sankranti, it is also called by different names in various parts of the country. For instance, in Assam it is called Rongoli Bihu, in West Bengali, it is called Poila Baisakh, in Tamil Nadu, it is called Puthandu, whereas in Bihar it is called Vaisakha. Read on to know more about the date, history, story, significance, and all you need to know about Vaisakhi.

1. When is Baisakhi 2022?In 2022, Baisakhi will be celebrated on April 14 (Thursday). As per Drik Panchang, this year the auspicious timing for Baisakhi begins from 08:56 AM on April 14, 2022.
2. What is the history and story of Vaisakhi?It was on 30 March, 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the tenth and last Sikh Guru) formed Khalsa Panth. Guru Gobind Singh Ji baptised Sikh warriors for defending their religious freedom and he also stated that from now on, all human beings are equal. It is also noted that it was on the day of Baisakhi in 1919, when British General Dyer fired and massacred hundreds of innocent men, women and children at the Jallian Wala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab. It was a peaceful gathering of people during India's struggle for freedom from the British Raj. It's been over 100 years since the ruthless massacre happened. Let us remember and pay our respect to the innocent people who were killed on this day.
3. What is the significance of Vaisakhi?Since the Khala Panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on this day, Baisakhi or Vaisakhi marks the establishment of this last Khalsa every year. On this day people day bathe in the holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Jhelum, etc and then visit the Gurudwara. Baisakhi or Vaisakhi also marks the onset of the spring season. And so, it is also celebrated in other parts of the country though it is called by different names there. The festival is called and celebrated as Rongoli Bihu in Assam, Poila Baisakh in West Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vaisakha in Bihar and so on. Many Hindus also celebrate it as a New Year.The festival also marks the harvesting of the Rabi Crops, and so on this day farmers pray and pay their respect to Gods-- thanking the almighty for the season's harvest. The auspicious day is also celebrated as the Solar New Year.
4. All you need to know about VaisakhiSikhs celebrate Vaisakhi by taking a dip in the holy river and then visiting the Gurudwaras to seek God's blessings on this auspicious day. The Gurudwaras are decorated and decked up for the festival; Kadha Prasad and langars are also offered on this day for devotees. Many processions known as Nagar Kirtans are led by five Khalsas, who are dressed as Panj Pyaare, and they pass the streets early in the morning. Fairs are organised for the festival with folk songs and dance performances, mouth-watering food and amusement rides. This is a festival of joy and people pray to the almighty for blessing, happiness, prosperity, and success.