April 14 and 15 are auspicious and historic days across India for various reasons. It is celebrated as ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil Nadu (14^th), ‘Vishu’ in Kerala (14^th), ‘Baisakhi’ in Punjab (14^th), ‘Poila Boishak’ in West Bengal (15^th),  ‘Pana Sankranti’ in Odisha (14^th) and ‘Rongali Bihu’ in Assam (15^th). It is on Baisakhi day that Guru Govind Singhji founded KHALSA in 1699, though the first day of Vaisakh in that year was March 30. Ambedkar Jayanti, also on April 14, is widely celebrated too.

We present articles on each festival.

1. Ringing in the Tamil New Year Puthandu

2. Celebrating the Malayalee New Year Vishu

3. How Pana Sankranti is celebrated in Odisha

4. Bohag Bihu Welcoming the spring in Assam

5. To read about Poila Boishak

6. To read about Baisakhi

7. CHEIRAOBA in Manipur.  

Note that festivals across the country are celebrated on April 14. There is an underlying cultural unity though the way in which every region celebrates the festival is different.

8. Since Khalsa was founded on Baisakhi diwas, even though the date was March 30, we must visit Anandpur in Punjab where Khalsa was founded. Since Guruji conducted a yagna at the Naina Devi Mandir for six months before moving to Anandpur the temple has significance too.

Offer Pranams at – 

a. Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara Anandpur

b. Naina Devi Mandir Himachal 

9. 14 is also Ambedkar Jayanti. The people of India, esp his followers have done a great disservice to Dr Ambedkar by projecting him as only a backward classes leader. So please read a compilation which has six article on Ambedkar was also an Economist.

Note that Ambedkar’s education both within and outside India, was to a large extent supported by by Sayaji Rao Gaekwad, the Maharaja of Baroda. Pranams to Sayaji Rao for this sukarya – noble deed.

Enjoy the festivities.