Vaisakhi (also known as Baisakhi) is the main religious festival in the Sikh religion, and is celebrated as the Sikh New Year and the birthday of the Sikh nation. It commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa (collective body of all baptised Sikhs) in the city of Anandpur Sahib in 1699 by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It falls on the first day of Vaisakh, a month in the Sikh calendar which corresponds to 13 or 14 April in the Gregorian calendar.

Khalsa Sikhs can be identified with the given Five Ks - Kirpan (sword), Kangha (comb), Kesh (long hair), Kara (steel bangle) and Kachaira (pair of shorts) - and given the name Singh (lion). In the picture below left Mr Panesar from the Mount Pleasant Sikh Association can be seen with the Kirpan.

To mark the celebrations, devotees, irrespective of their religion, gather at Gurdwaras, the Sikh place of worship. The celebrations start early as devotees, with flowers and offerings in their hands, proceed towards the Gurdwaras and temples before dawn. Processions through towns are also common.

Celebrations at Mount Pleasant

In Mount Pleasant, Vaisakhi has been celebrated since 1965. The Sikh Association organises the celebrations and collects money from all members to buy food. The celebrations are held around 14 April and include music, decorations and free food for all staff on duty that day, in two sittings to cover both shifts.

The food is vegetarian and consists of samosas, chick peas, a sweet carrot dish, soft drinks and tea. Around 800 people normally attend the celebrations at Mount Pleasant, from all religions and cultures.

More Information

Wikipedia - Vaisakhi

BBC Religion & Ethics - Vaisakhi

Sikhism Guide - Vaisakhi

Illustrations

Mr Panesar with the kirpan (sword)

Association members serve food

Association members serve food