| All around the world, thousands of different cultures | | | | In Punjab, however, it is usually celebrated by |
| all have a unique way to celebrate the spring harvest. | | | | devotees by bringing flowers and other offerings to |
| Eastern cultures like Hindu and Buddhist cultures often | | | | Sikh temples. There is usually a huge procession as |
| hold celebrations which seem quite different from | | | | the devotees slowly walk down the street. This is |
| ours. However, there are in fact quite a few | | | | the day in which their values and morals were passed |
| similarities. Baisakhi is a yearly celebration which takes | | | | down to the people from Khalsa (The Pure One). |
| place primarily in the cultural region of Punjab. Punjab | | | | Once the people have reached the temple the holy |
| isn't in any single country. Instead, it straddles the | | | | book of the Sikh's (the Guru Granth Sahib) is taken |
| border between Northern India and Eastern Pakistan. | | | | out and given a symbolic bath in milk and water. |
| Baisakhi (sometimes called Vasakhi), is a religious | | | | Then it is read to the gathering of people. 5 priests |
| holiday of the Sikh, and it represents both the annual | | | | take turns reading from the book to symbolize the |
| spring harvest and the beginning of a new solar year. | | | | original 5 gurus. A pot of sweet holy nectar is |
| It always falls on either April 13th or April 14th. | | | | produced and passed among the people, who all take |
| Although it is primarily celebrated in Punjab, its | | | | turns sipping from it. |
| influence has spread to other nearby regions, such as | | | | When the readings are completed, the entire |
| northern India and Nepal. The particular practices | | | | community sits down and shares a vegetarian lunch, |
| from region to region can vary widely. In some | | | | called the guru-ka-langar. After this, grand parades |
| places it is the Hindu Goddess Jwalamukhi who is | | | | are held throughout the region, which include music, |
| honored, but in other places the Sun-God Suyra is | | | | drums, singing, dancing, sword exhibitions, and mock |
| celebrated. It is even celebrated in Manhattan, and an | | | | fights. Farmers extensively participate in these |
| annual parade is held every year in the city of | | | | festivities since this is a harvest day celebration and |
| Vancouver. | | | | they are looking forward to a great harvest. |