The festival is celebrated with a lot of vigor and pride. Gurdwaras are decorated beautifully with flowers, carpets and devotees participate in kirtans. Since the festival holds a social significance along with a religious and cultural one, people pray and recite the stories written down by Shri Guru Gobind Singh. They come together to dance, enjoy a delicious feast, and take part in merrymaking. People celebrate Baisakhi by performing their traditional and energetic dance, bhangra and gidda, and also take part in Baisakhi Fairs.
Like any other festival, on the day of Baisakhi, many special delicacies like Coconut Laddoo, Sarson ka Saag, Makki ki Roti, Pindi Chana Battura, Biriyani, Dry Fruit Kheer, Til Gajak, Wheat Flour Laddu, Carrot Halwa and Peele Chawal are prepared and feasted by all.
The festival of Baisakhi also holds a lot of significance for the agricultural laborers and farmers in the country. In the agriculturally rich states of Punjab and Haryana, the festival marks the time for harvest of Rabi (winter) crops. Farmers celebrate the day as their own Thanksgiving Day festival in these states.
As part of a tradition, farmers wake up early and dress in new clothes. They visit temples and gurdwaras to pray to God for the good harvest and seek blessings for a prosperous agriculture season.
Astrological Significance of Vaisakhi
The festival of Vaisakhi holds astrological significance as on this day, the Sun enters into Aries (Mesh). This is why many people also know this festival as Mesha Sankranti. All over India, the festival is celebrated under different names. For instance, it is celebrated as 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Nobo Borsho' in Bengal, ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu, 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala and ‘Vaishakha’ in the state of Bihar.