What is Vaisakhi? Meaning behind the Sikh and Hindu festival, when it falls in 2021 and how it’s celebrated

© Provided by The i Vaisakhi is traditionally celebrated on 13 or 14 April (Photo: Getty/Christopher Furlong)

Many people around the world will celebrate Vaisakhi today.

The Sikh and Hindu festival has historic roots and is celebrated by many communities around the world.

Here is when Vaisakhi takes place, the meaning behind the festival and how it is celebrated.

When is Vaisakhi?

Vaisakhi takes place on 13 April this year.

It usually falls on 13 or 14 April every year.

What is the meaning behind the festival? © Provided by The i Processions often make up part of the celebrations of the traditional festival of Vaisakhi (Photo: Getty/Corbis/Stefano Montesi)

Vaiskahi, also known as Baisakhi, is celebrated by Sikhs around the world and is also a festival in Hinduism

For Hindus, Vaisakhi marks an ancient harvest festival and the solar new year.

It also marks when Sikhism was born as a collective faith in 1699, when the Khalsa was founded. The Khalsa means initiated Sikhs, but also those who consider Sikhism a faith.

The first Khalsa, which took place under Guru Gobind Singh, was a ceremony known as Amrit Sanchar.

It saw five men step forward when he asked for volunteers who were willing to give their lives for God. But they returned unharmed and instead had been baptised and became known as the Panj Pyare, or the Beloved Five.

As part of the occasion, the Guru sprinkled a holy water known as Amrit on the five men.

How is it celebrated? © Provided by The i Communities around the world usually gather together to celebrate Vaisakhi (Photo: Getty/Corbis/Stefano Montesi)

People often visit temples or gurdwaras on Vaisakhi, were special services take place.

They also gather together to celebrate with singing, dancing, hymns and special food often making up part of the occasion.

In usual times, before Covid-19, Vaisakhi celebrations would traditionally feature parades, which were held in many places the world.

Processions known as Nagar Kirtan usually take place, which includes the singing of holy hymns and usually features five people dressed in religious attire representing the Panj Pyare.

The Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, is usually raised on a platform leading the parade, to signify its importance.

In the UK, large-scale events usually take place across the country including performances and gatherings at Trafalgar Square in London, but due to Covid-19, many events including this one won’t go ahead for a second year running.

Events would also usually include performances by Sikh artists, dances, food stalls and more, with smaller community fairs often taking place around the country.