Baisakhi is an important festival of Punjab which is celebrated on Vaishakh Sakranti at harvesting time of the Rabi crops with vigor and joy. Baisakhi is derived from the word Vaishakh, which is the second Hindu lunar month in which Baishakhi falls. Based on the Indian solar calendar, this festival falls on April 13 every year and on April 14 once every 36 years. Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth over three hundred years ago on this day. On this occasion, men and women wear bright colored clothes and traditional jewellery. Men perform Bhangra (folk dance) with vigorous steps to the accompaniment of traditional music and women perform Gidda dance, which is executed with fervour and rhythmic accuracy.
Sikhs celebrate this day as combined birthday by visiting Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) and distributing Kadah Prasad (porridge) among all. Processions are taken out which are led by the Pan} Piaras (the five religious men). Children and youth participate performing their duelling skills accompanied_ by musical bands in these enthusiastic processions. Kirtans and Guru Granth Sahib Path (recital) are organized in the Gurdwaras. People perform Kar sewa (Offering of physical labor) to help in the daily routines of the Gurdwara. Basically, it is a festival of farmers. Baisakhi celebration does not require any fasting or worship. After. taking the bath in the nearby river or at home people visit temples or Gurudwaras (Sikh Temples). On this day in 1699 tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh discontinued the. tradition of Gurus in Sikhism by declaring the Granth Sahib (the holy epic of Sikhs) to be the eternal Guru of all Sikhs. To form the Khalsa Panth he asked his followers to be ready to sacrifice their lives to save others. Five volunteers of five different castes were made the Pan} Piaras, to lead the rest. So Sikhs celebrate this festival as foundation day of their religion. The Granth Sahib is taken out in procession on this day.
Aum Namah Shivaye
Source: Book: Hindu Festivals By Shashi Kant Kaushik