Baisakhi 2025: Massive turnout at Golden Temple and Anandpur Sahib during harvest festival

Chandigarh: Crowds of devotees on Sunday thronged gurdwaras across Punjab and Haryana to celebrate Baisakhi, one of the biggest festivals that marks the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth (Sikh order) by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.  

It also marks the start of harvest season.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of Sikhism's holiest shrines, was tastefully decorated, and a huge number of devotees came to offer prayers.

Many consider taking the holy dip in the Golden Temple sarovar as significant to mark the day. Some devotees even stayed overnight on the Golden Temple premises to take the dip in the early hours.

Day-long langars (community kitchens) have been organised to mark the day.

Besides the Golden Temple, people took a holy dip in scores of historic gurdwaras across Punjab.

A sea of devotees was also witnessed at the Takht Kesgarh Sahib in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa Panth was founded in 1699.

PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended greetings on Baisakhi and Sajna Diwas of Khalsa Panth.

President Murmu, in a post on X, extended her heartfelt greetings to all Indians living in India and abroad.

The day is also celebrated in different parts of the country as Vishu, Bohag Bihu, Poila Boishakh, Meshadi, Vaishakhadi and Puthandu Pirapu, she said.

"These festivals celebrated at the time of harvest in various parts of India symbolise our social traditions and unity in diversity. Through these festivals we honour the hard work of our 'Annadata' farmers and express our gratitude to them. These festivals also give the message of preserving nature and protecting our cultural legacy," President Murmu said in her post.

She hoped that these vibrant festivals would motivate people to work with commitment and dedication for the development of our nation.

Prime Minister Modi wished everyone a joyous Baisakhi and prayed that the festival brings happiness to everyone's life.

He wrote on his X handle," May this festival bring new hope, happiness and abundance into your life. May we always celebrate the spirit of togetherness, gratitude and renewal."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also wished that the festival brings joy to everyone's life.

"Heartiest greetings to all of you on the holy festival of Baisakhi. I wish that this festival of joy and enthusiasm brings happiness, prosperity and good health to everyone's life," he said.

In a message, Governor Kataria said Baisakhi has a multi-faceted importance. “It marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, a time of great joy for the farmers to reap the fruits of their hard labour.”

The Governor further said this day also marked a watershed in India’s freedom movement in 1919 as many known and unsung martyrs sacrificed their lives on this day, in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, at the altar of freedom.

“This massacre gave a great impetus to the independence movement,” he added.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya also extended greetings to the people of the state, Punjab and the global Punjabi diaspora. In his message, Governor Dattatraya said, “Festivals like Baishakhi reflect the vibrant cultural heritage and unity of our people.”

He expressed confidence that the festival would strengthen the bonds of harmony, peace, and brotherhood among all communities.

IANS inputs