Vaisakh
Vaisakh is the first month in the Punjabi calendar and the second month of the Nanakshahi calendar. The Nanakshahi solar month begins on April 14, after Chet, and ends on May 5th, with Jeth I following. The traditional Punjabi Bikrami lunisolar month begins on the day after the Chet full moon and ends on the Vaisakh full moon.
This month coincides with April and May in the Gregorian calendar, Boishakh in the Bengali calendar, and Vaisakha in the Hindu calendar and the Indian national calendar; it comprises the time of crop-harvesting in the Punjab region.
Vaisakhi is the most important festival in the Sikh calendar, taking place on the first month of Vaisakh, which falls on 14 April each year. On this day, the Khalsa was created and much celebration takes place in the form of Samagams, Nagar Kirtan, Gatka exhibitions, Akand Paths and so on. Chet is the first month of the Nanakshahi calendar, however the Punjabi peasantry celebrate their new year on Vaisakh 1 on April 14th as it is when their harvest is due. The Nanakshahi solar calendar used by Sikhs observes April 14th as Vaisakh 1 while the traditional Punjabi lunisolar calendar used primarily by Hindus and farmers observes all months based on the lunar cycle, thus the first day of Vaisakh being the day after the Chet full moon. In the traditional Punjabi lunisolar calendar, the festival of Vaisakhi may fall in either Chet or Vaisakh.
On the 16th of this month, Guru Angad and Guru Har Krishan took leave for their higher abode and passed the Guruship to Guru Amar Das and Guru Tegh Bahadur respectively. Moreover, on the 18th, the Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Angad Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Important events during this month
April
- 14 April - Vaisakhi
- 15 April - Joti Jot of Guru Angad Dev Ji
- 16 April - Joti Jot of Guru Angad Dev Ji
- 16 April - Gur Gadi of Guru Amar Das Ji
- 16 April - Joti Jot Guru Har Krishan Ji
- 16 April - Gur Gadi of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
- 18 April - Birth of Guru Angad Dev Ji
- 18 April - Birth of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
May
- 2 May - Birth of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- 15 May - The end of the month Vaisakh and the start of Jeth
Hindu Festivals Based on Lunar Dates
- Vaisakh 18: Akha Teej - A festival considered auspicious to start any new beginnings, new ventures, charity, and large purchases especially purchases of gold. Any good deeds or investments made on this day are believed to be everlasting. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped on this day.
Hindu Festivals Based on Solar Dates
- April 13/14: Vaisakhi - A festival marking the sun's transit into Mesha, the approaching summer, and the beginning of the Hindu solar year. It is observed as a day of thanksgiving to celebrate the harvest of the Rabi crops. Devotees take purifying dips into local waterbodies, rivers, and sarovars while offering prayers to Surya and donate fruits, water pitchers, and other summer items to the poor for the approaching summer heat. Vaisakhi is also a very important holy day for Sikhs as it commemorates the day when Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth. The Sikh celebrations usually involve nagar kirtans. This festival is known as Mesha Sankranti, Puthandu, Vishu, Bisu Parba, Buisu, Bohag Bihu, Maha Bishuba Sankranti, Pohela Boishakh, Jur Sital, Bizhu, and Sangken in other regions of South Asia.