Vaisakhi 2027
Harvest, new year and the birth of the Khalsa on one spring day.
Countdown to Vaisakhi 2027
Dates
When is Vaisakhi?
Vaisakhi 2027 falls on Wednesday, 14 April 2027.
Listed for Wednesday 14 Apr on the central government holiday list for 2027.
Date checked against staffnews.in
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 April 2026Tue | 1 day | Past |
| 2027 | 14 April 2027Wed | 1 day | Confirmed |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Parade & Carnival
- Tradition
- Sikh
- Where
- Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
- Crowd
- Celebrated across Punjab and by Sikh communities worldwide
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
At Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa was founded, Vaisakhi begins with prayers at dawn and continues with processions, langar and kirtan through the day, as the wheat ripens in the fields around.
Vaisakhi falls on the first day of the solar month of Vaisakh, usually 13 or 14 April. For Punjab's farmers it marks the harvest of the winter wheat; for Sikhs it is above all the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, at Anandpur Sahib.
Gurdwaras hold Akhand Paths, continuous readings of the Guru Granth Sahib, ending on the day. Nagar Kirtans — processions led by five men representing the Panj Pyare, carrying the Sikh flag — move through towns with singing, martial-arts displays and free food. Amrit Sanchar, the Khalsa initiation ceremony, is often held on this day.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Vaisakhi
Traditions
What actually happens
- Nagar Kirtan — a procession of hymns led by the Panj Pyare and the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Amrit Sanchar — initiation into the Khalsa, often held at Vaisakhi.
- Gatka — displays of Sikh martial arts during processions.
- Harvest fairs — village melas with bhangra, wrestling and stalls.
Food
The table, widened
- Langar — the free community meal of dal, roti, sabzi and kheer served to everyone in the gurdwara.
- Karah prashad — the sweet offering of wheat flour, ghee and sugar given after prayers.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Gurbani kirtan, hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib sung to harmonium and tabla, fills the gurdwaras. In the fields and at fairs the dhol drives bhangra, the dance that grew out of Punjab's harvest celebrations.
Religion
Why this date
In 1699 Guru Gobind Singh called for volunteers willing to give their lives; five came forward and became the first members of the Khalsa, the community of initiated Sikhs. The festival celebrates that founding and the Sikh ideals of equality, courage and service.
History
How it survived
Vaisakhi was a harvest and new-year festival in Punjab long before 1699. On Vaisakhi in 1919, British troops fired on an unarmed crowd at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, killing hundreds; the massacre became a turning point in India's independence movement and is remembered on the day.
History
How it got here
Vaisakhi was a harvest and new-year festival in Punjab long before 1699. On Vaisakhi in 1919, British troops fired on an unarmed crowd at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, killing hundreds; the massacre became a turning point in India's independence movement and is remembered on the day.
Traditional
Harvest new year
The first of Vaisakh marks the wheat harvest in Punjab.
1699
The Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh founds the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib.
1919
Jallianwala Bagh
Troops fire on a Vaisakhi gathering in Amritsar.
Today
Global Nagar Kirtans
Large processions are held in cities with Sikh communities around the world.
Travel & practical
Visiting Anandpur Sahib for Vaisakhi
Getting there
Anandpur Sahib is about two hours by road from Chandigarh airport; Amritsar's airport serves visitors to the Golden Temple.
Where to go
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo all hold major celebrations.
Practical notes
Cover your head and remove your shoes in gurdwaras; head scarves are provided. Everyone is welcome at langar.
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FAQ
Vaisakhi: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Vaisakhi.
When is Vaisakhi in 2026 and 2027?
Vaisakhi fell on Tuesday 14 April 2026 and falls on Wednesday 14 April 2027.
Is Baisakhi the same as Vaisakhi?
Yes. They are two spellings of the same festival, named after the month of Vaisakh.
Why does Vaisakhi matter to Sikhs?
It marks the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, one of the most important events in Sikh history.
Can non-Sikhs join the celebrations?
Yes. Gurdwaras and Nagar Kirtans are open to all; dress modestly and cover your head.
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