India is a diverse land of many cultures. With every step you take, you are exposed to countless different traditions and identities. But even in this rich and varied country, an even richer region stands out. That place is Punjab, with its lush history and heavy involvement in almost all the ages of India; the history of Punjab is, without a doubt, the history of India. With this beautiful culture come many important days and festivals, of which there is no shortage in Punjab. From the Baisakhi to Guru Nanak Jayanti, there are plenty of major historical and religious events that are still remembered today. If you ever visit Punjab as an outsider, you might find yourself baffled by the sheer amount of celebrations and festivals taking place. So, to ease your mind the next time you travel to this rich state, a brief list of Punjabi festivals that have had the most influence over its culture is given below.
1. Sikh New Year (Baisakhi):
The list of Sikh festivals starts with the Sikh New Year. The Sikh New Year, popularly known as Baisakhi, is one of the defining festivals of the Sikh culture and is celebrated either on the 13th or 14th of April yearly. Like a majority of Punjabi festivals, Baisakhi is a farming-based festival celebrating the time of the harvest and the arrival of summer. This time is usually the most prosperous of the year for the large farmer population living in Punjab, which is why the celebrations are so joyous. This Sikh festival also marks the New Year in the Punjabi calendar.
Important Events:
The Khalsa Panth was a proclamation given on Baisakhi in 1699 by the last human Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He decreed that everyone who follows this path must be distinct from others, establishing rules for appearance and names. This is why most Sikh names end in Singh and why people following the religion don’t cut their hair.
Today, Baisakhi maintains its positive connotation. You can see people dancing around the farmlands, wearing bright yellow clothes, and singing in gardens. There are many famous Baisakhi fairs where many rides are offered, and street hawkers gather to sell their wares. Overall, Baisakhi is one of the most important festivals in Punjab and has the most history.
2. Holla Mohalla:
This Sikh festival is famously celebrated in the city of Anandpur Sahib, and it usually takes place one day after the Hindu festival of Holi. It is a communal celebration, which is celebrated to remember the sense of camaraderie that Sikhs have among members of the culture. It is also celebrated as a display of the martial arts skills of the Punjabi people. In a 3 day procession known as the Naga Kirtan, various traditional Punjabi Martial Arts are performed, with many mock fights staged, to display the strength of Sikhs and foster a feeling of oneness within the broader Punjabi community.
3. Bandi Chhor Diwas:
This is another festival in Punjab that coincides with a famous Hindu date. This festival falls on the same day as Diwali, often overshadowing it. Of course, Bandi Chhor Diwas has a unique significance in the world of Sikhism, as on this day, Guru Hargobind, the 6th Sikh Guru, was released from imprisonment at Gwalior Fort along with 52 Hindu kings.
According to the historical consensus today, it is believed that the Mughal emperor Jahangir imprisoned the Sikh Leader Guru Hargobind in the Gwalior fort from around 1617 to 1619. However, Guru Hargobind managed to escape and took with him 52 imprisoned kings. There was no violence or struggle, and the group managed to leave the prison safely. Guru Hargobind is said to have travelled to Amritsar after this, where people were engaging in Diwali celebrations. Today, Bandi Chhor Diwas is celebrated similarly to Diwali, with homes full of bright lamps and firecrackers lighting up the night sky.
4. Maghi:
Maghi is the Punjabi name for the pan-India festival of Makar Sankranti (also called Pongal). This name is popular in the northwest of India, including the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. In the Sikh tradition, it is celebrated to commemorate the martyrdom of 40 Sikhs who fought alongside the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, against the Mughal Leader Wazir Khan in 1705. Some devout Sikhs make pilgrimages to the site of the battle on this day to remember the martyrs. This day was also mentioned by Guru Amar Das, the 3rd Guru before the events of 1705 took place.
Celebrations of Maghi are characterized by colourful fairs all over Punjab. Children can often be seen on the rides, enjoying themselves. In many households, special types of Kheer are prepared for the occasion, and other foods like sugarcane and jaggery are often eaten as well. Maghi is also celebrated in Hindu households in quite a similar manner.
5. Prakash Diwas
It is also known as Guru Purab. The day begins with early morning prayers and processions known as “Nagar Kirtans,” where devotees sing hymns and carry the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. Gurdwaras across Punjab are beautifully decorated, and special services are held where the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji are recounted, emphasizing his messages of equality, humility, and devotion to God.
6. Guru Nanak Jayanti:
Arguably the most important Gurupurab, this festival marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of the religion of Sikhism. It is held on 15th November, and a special 48-hour reading is also held, during which Guru Granth Sahib is continuously recited. This reading is called the Akhand Path and is done by many thousands of Sikhs on this day. In some gardens, mock fights can also be seen as people gather to watch these impressive displays of fighting ability take place.
7. Guru Gobind Jayanti:
Probably the second most important Gurupurab, this day celebrates the birth of the last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is celebrated on 6th January every year and has a lot of the same celebrations as Guru Nanak Jayanti. However, there is a larger focus on the life of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born as Gobind Rai. He is most well-known for leading an opposition against the Mughal forces and establishing the Khalsa Panth. He is the only Sikh guru to have the name Singh, which means “lion” in Punjabi. This last name was given to all men who joined the Khalsa Panth, with women being named Kaur, which means “princess”. He also established a definite look for all people of the Sikh religion, which gave them a sense of oneness and ensured that no Sikh would ever be able to deny their faith to escape confrontation. This gurudwara festival also sees the remembrance of the Panj Pyaare, the brave 5 men who were the first ones to join the Khalsa Panth.
So, these are some of the famous festivals of Punjab. We cannot truly answer the question “What is the main festival of Punjab?” as so many are perfect candidates for the position. However, the above-mentioned festivals are the most prominent and influential in the state. Many more festivals are celebrated in certain regions of Punjab and hold a special significance in those particular parts of the state. Punjab has no shortage of interesting and fun events in its catalogue. So, make sure to catch a glimpse of this beautiful culture the next time you visit the majestic state of five rivers called Punjab.
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