Traditionally also known as Vaisakhi, Baisakhi is one the most culturally rich festivals celebrated in India. The stories of the origin of Baisakhi are at an intersection of religious and agricultural practices. Through time, it was primarily celebrated by the farmer communities of Punjab as they ended one harvest and marked the beginning of a new cycle. Baisakhi is believed to have gained religious significance in the 15th century, when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth. It was on Baisakhi of 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh added a layer of umpteenth religious importance to this festival. It is on this day that it is believed he baptised the first five members of the Khalsa, religiously also known as the Panj Pyare and set in stone the principles of the Khalsa. 

These principles talk about the importance of Kesh or uncut hair, the Kara, also known as the steel bracelet compulsorily worn by everybody, the use of the Kanga or the wooden comb, the need to wear a Kachera which is a specific cotton undergarment and the essence of carrying a Kirpan or a sword. This establishment of the Khalsa is believed to have marked a new era of righteousness, equality, and bravery. It is now celebrated as Baisakhi to show tribute and respect to these values.

As Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi, they visit Gurudwaras to offer their prayers and listen to Kirtans while participating in the langar. On the day of Vaisakhi, the Akhand Path, a continuous recitation of the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, also known as the holy scripture of Sikhism, is conducted through all the Gurudwara’s across India and beyond. The highlight of their visit to the Gurudwara is participating in the langar. During this community meal, everyone, regardless of their caste or creed, is welcomed with warmth to take part. 

The Nagar Kirtan is an important ritual and a religious process led by the Panj Pyare as they move through the streets, singing hymns and spreading the teachings of Sikhism. The holy scripture of the Guru Granth Sahib is carried in a decorated palanquin and is a part of the process. All devotees offer service towards this process by cleaning the streets or distributing food and water to everyone participating. 

In the villages of Punjab, melas or fairs are organised and are the centre of all the activities taking place as people celebrate this joy festival. Activities like acrobatic performances, wrestling competitions, folk dance, and music transcend the atmosphere to mirror the essence of the festivity. Some dance forms that paint the picture of Baisakhi are Bhangra and Gidda, as men and women dance to the rhythms of the dhols and are dressed in colourful traditional attire. 

Every ritual performed during the festival of Baisakhi holds deep significance and symbolism. The Akhand Path symbolises devotion and faithfulness towards the Guru Granth Sahib. The act of participating in langar is a representation of the spirit of equality and community. Meanwhile, Nagar Kirtan brings the teachings of Sikhism to the public and showcases the values of unity, service, and humility to all in the community. 

Like every other festival, food is pivotal in differentiating Baisakhi celebrations from others. Popular dishes devoured by families and communities are Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag, Karah Prasad, Pindi Chana, Lassi, Meethe Chawal and Kheer, which reflect the agricultural produce of the region. Meals during Langar are prepared and served by volunteers who show the value of unwavering selfless service and unity. 

In Haryana, Baisakhi is celebrated enthusiastically, similar to Punjab, and they engage in traditional dances like Jhumar and Luddi. Delhi sees enormous celebrations as major Gurudwaras like Bangla Sahib and Sis Ganj Sahib are decorated with lights and flowers as devote gather to offer their prayers and participate in the historical Langar. The state of Jammu and Kashmir sees it being celebrated with a mix of Sikh and Dogra rituals. In Uttarakhand, it is celebrated as Bikhauti, while in West Bengal, it coincides with the festival of Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year. It is a festival which authentically resonates with the spirit of community, celebration, and gratitude in its rituals and traditions. 

The traditional attire won by men and women as they celebrate Baisakhi holds immense artisanal and cultural heritage and speaks of the region's rich weaving and embroidery traditions.

Women are usually seen adorned in a Salwar Kameez. The kameez is a long kurta paired with loose-fitting trousers that taper at the ankle to form a unique silhouette called the salwar. A unique rendition of the salwar kameez is the Patiala suit. It finds its roots in the royal city of Patiala in Punjab and consists of a short kameez paired with oversized and pleated salwars called the Patiala salwars. The Dupatta with the Patiala suit is usually a Phulkari-embroidered dupatta, which is traditionally unique to the artisanal techniques of Punjab. 

Phulkari means ‘flower work’. It is an ancient embroidery technique that dates back to the 15th century and was historically a domestic art practised by the women in their homes during afternoons to create garments for personal use, special occasions, and dowry. Today, it holds integral cultural symbolism in Punjabi heritage. It is a labour-intensive process that requires precise attention to detail. Usually, a plain fabric like Khaddar is embroidered with silk threads in colours like red, yellow, green, and orange into designs that reflect the agrarian lifestyle of Punjab. These designs are created by counting the threads of the fabric and stitching on the reverse side, which results in floral, geometric, and natural motifs appearing on the front. Other embroideries like Bagh, Tilla, and Zardozi are also commonly seen for the celebrations of Baisakhi.

Given the warm weather when it is celebrated, cotton is the preferred fabric for the daytime rituals of Baisakhi due to its breathable nature. With Punjab's long history of cotton cultivation, cotton salwars and dupattas are favourites during the festival. As for nighttime festivals, women prefer garments made of silk as they are known for their ornate and exquisite feel. Dating back to ancient times, the artisans in Punjab are known for their skill in silk weaving and creating intricate designs through their art. Another preferred choice for fabric is Chanderi, commonly known for its traditional motifs and sheer, lightweight texture. 

Baisakhi is a festival synonymous with buoyancy and colourful fervour. Women prefer shades of yellow as they symbolise the new harvest and the abundance and prosperity the mustard fields bring to the state of Punjab. Red is also a favoured colour, symbolising passion, fertility, and energy, and married women usually wear it. They also wear shades of green, blue, and orange as they represent growth, the vastness of the universe, and warmth, respectively.

The traditional attire for men comprises various elements which are particular to the festival of Baisakhi. A staple of the festival is the kurta pyjama. A churidar, a type of pyjama characterised by its trim fit near the ankles that creates folds or churis, is often paired with a long kurta or a heavy Sherwani for a formal look. Like a Sherwani, men are also seen wearing an Achkan, a longer kurta, with a churidar or pyjama, which gets its identity from its front button closures and high neck. Like women’s attire, men’s attire is also made from cotton, silk, brocade, and khaddar or khadi. Men are usually seen in colours like white, yellow, red, blue, and green.