Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi is a harvest festival, which is celebrated on the thirteenth day of April according to the solar calendar. It is celebrated in North India, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, when the rabi crop is ready for harvesting. This tough agricultural operation is rendered into a lighter occupation by merry community festivities such as the Bhangra dance by men, who pound the ground with vigorous steps accompanied by singing. Women, too, break into revelry of dances, principally the Giddha dance, executed with fervor and rhythmic exactitude.

With the inauguration of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh on 1 Baisakh 1756 Bk (1699AD), Vaisakhi became an important festival on the Sikh calendar. The Sikhs everywhere celebrate Vaisakhi enthusiastically as birthday anniversary of the Khalsa. Akhand paths are recited followed by kirtan and ardas in almost every gurdwara. Community meals form part of the celebrations. At bigger centres congregational fairs, amrit-prachar, i.e. initiation ceremonies for inducting novitiates into the Khalsa fold, and contests in manly sports are held.

Sikhism
A progressive religion well ahead of its time when it was founded over 500 years ago, the Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the world's 5th largest religion. Sikhism preaches a message of devotion and remembrance of God at all times, truthful living, equality of mankind and denounces superstitions and blind rituals. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji		1469 - 1539
Guru Angad Dev Ji		1539 - 1552
Guru Amardas Ji		1552 - 1574
Guru Ramdas Ji		1574 - 1581
Guru Arjan Dev Ji		1581 - 1606
Guru Hargobind Ji		1606 - 1644
Guru Har Rai Ji		1644 - 1661
Guru Har Kishan Ji		1661 - 1664
Guru Teg Bahadur Ji		1664 - 1675
Guru Gobind Singh Ji		1675 - 1708
Guru Granth Sahib Ji		1708 - Present and Future