After sunset on Sunday 13 April, the exterior façade of the Library of Birmingham will be lit up orange for Vaisakhi.

Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh. It is seen as a spring harvest celebration in Punjab and Northern India. 

Sikh traditions

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is an important harvest festival.

Sikhs celebrate by:

• singing hymns
• visiting local temples (Gurdwaras)
• attending community fairs
• holding processions called nagar kirtans
• raising the Nishan Sahib flag
• sharing festive foods.

Vaisakhi also marks key events in Sikh history and the history of the Punjab region:

• it celebrates the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh on 13 April 1699
• on 12 April 1801, Ranjit Singh was declared the ruler of the Sikh Empire during Vaisakhi

Hindu traditions

Hindus also celebrate this holiday, but it is known by different names in various parts of India.

Many Hindus:

• bathe in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Jhelum and Kaveri
• visit temples
• meet friends
• take part in festivities
• give charity, especially hand fans, water pitchers and seasonal fruits

Community fairs are held at Hindu pilgrimage sites, and processions of temple deities are common.

The holiday involves worshipping different gods, such as Durga in Himachal Pradesh, Surya in Bihar, and Vishnu in southern India.

Although Vaisakhi started as a harvest festival for Hindus, it became important for Sikhs after the creation of the Khalsa.

The Birmingham Nagar Kirtan

In the UK, there is a large Sikh community from India, East Africa and Afghanistan.

The Birmingham Nagar Kirtan is held in spring with the support of Birmingham City Council. It is an annual event that attracts thousands of people.

The event starts with two nagar kirtans from different gurdwaras in the city and ends with the Vaisakhi Mela at Handsworth Park.

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Article published: 10 April 2025