Baisakhi is a major festival of Hindus and Sikhs, celebrated in North India during the harvest season. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, is said to have founded the Sikh brotherhood (Khalsa) on this day. Processions are organized with mock duels and bands playing religious tunes. The Punjabi dances, Bhangra and Giddha, are associated with this festival. During the season, Sikhs visit temples, such as the
Golden Temple in
Amritsar, where the holy Granth is read.
For certain communities, the festival marks the start of the New Year, and is celebrated with ritual bathing, worshipping and partying.
