Baisakhi 2027बैसाखी

When is Baisakhi?

Observed on Mesha Sankranti — the Sun enters Aries (solar new year). Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi and can differ by a day in other places — check the Panchang for your city.

What Baisakhi means

Mesha Sankranti is the day the Sun enters Mesha (Aries) in the sidereal zodiac — the first day of the solar year in most of India, usually 13 or 14 April. Because it follows the Sun rather than the Moon, it falls on almost the same date every year.

Across India it is a new year and a harvest festival under many names: Baisakhi in Punjab and Haryana, Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bohag (Rongali) Bihu in Assam, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal, Pana Sankranti (Maha Vishuva Sankranti) in Odisha and Jur Sital in Mithila. Hindus take holy baths — Haridwar holds a great bathing fair — and give water and food in the summer heat.

In Punjab Baisakhi is the festival of the rabi (wheat) harvest, celebrated with bhangra and fairs; for Sikhs it is also Khalsa Sajna Divas, marking Guru Gobind Singh's founding of the Khalsa in 1699.

The story of Baisakhi

In Hindu astronomy the year of the Sun begins when it enters Mesha, the first sign, and Sankranti days are sacred for bathing and charity. The Puranas praise gifts of water and food on this day as the summer begins.

In Kerala, Vishu begins with the Vishu kani: on the night before, the eldest woman arranges rice, gold, a mirror, the golden konna flowers, fruits and a lamp before Krishna's image, and each family member is led with closed eyes to see it first in the morning — so that the year begins with an auspicious sight.

Baisakhi puja vidhi, step by step

How the solar new year is kept; follow your region's customs.

What you need

• Water in a copper pot for arghya to the Sun
• Flowers, akshat and a diya
• Items for charity — water pots, fans, sattu, fruit
• For Vishu: rice, gold, a mirror, konna flowers, fruit, a lamp and Krishna's image

When to do the puja

Mesha Sankranti falls on 14 April in 2027; the exact moment of the Sun's entry into Mesha changes each year — check the Panchang for the punya kaal (auspicious period) in your city. See the Panchang for your city.

Steps

1. Dawn. Bathe early — in a river if possible — and offer water to the rising Sun.
2. Worship. Worship Surya and the family deity; in Kerala, open your eyes to the Vishu kani.
3. Charity. Give water pots, fans, grain or sattu to those in need.
4. Feast. Share the new-year meal — Vishu sadya, Puthandu feast, or festive food in Punjab.
5. Blessings. Visit elders, who give blessings and (in Kerala) Vishu kaineetam, a gift of money.

Offerings & food: Sattu, fruit, water in clay pots (Pana in Odisha), Vishu sadya, Puthandu mango pachadi

Mantras for Baisakhi

Baisakhi across India

Baisakhi (Punjab), Vishu (Kerala), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Bohag Bihu (Assam), Pohela Boishakh (Bengal), Pana Sankranti (Odisha), Jur Sital (Mithila)

Punjab and Haryana

Baisakhi: harvest fairs, bhangra and giddha; Sikhs celebrate the founding of the Khalsa at gurdwaras, especially Anandpur Sahib and the Golden Temple.

Kerala

Vishu: the Vishu kani at dawn, kaineetam gifts from elders, fireworks and the Vishu sadya.

Tamil Nadu

Puthandu: kolams at the door, a mango pachadi of six tastes, and temple visits.

Assam

Bohag (Rongali) Bihu: a week of Bihu dances and songs, with the first day (Goru Bihu) honouring cattle.

Bengal and Odisha

Pohela Boishakh with new account books (haal khata); Pana Sankranti with the sweet pana drink offered and shared.

Prayers to recite

Do’s and don’ts

Temples to visit for Baisakhi

Harmandir SahibAmritsar, Punjab

Frequently asked questions