For millennia, Vaisakhi has symbolized the harvest season when farmers would reap their crops and welcome the onset of a new year. Since 1699, Sikhs have added another layer of significance to this occasion, celebrating the birth of the Khalsa. Today, Vaisakhi is observed with heightened enthusiasm, marking centuries of tradition with joy, energy, and fervor.
Vaisakh, the second month in the Nanakshahi calendar, holds profound significance in Sikhism, marking both the arrival of spring and the harvesting season in Punjab. Falling between April 14 and May 15, Vaisakh symbolizes renewal, abundance, and hope. This month heralds the celebration of Vaisakhi, one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar.
The meteoric rise of Punjabi artists on the global stage reflects a seismic shift in the music industry, propelled by a fusion of traditional Punjabi melodies with contemporary beats and rhythms. At the forefront of this cultural revolution stands Karan Aujla, whose historic victory at the 2024 Juno Awards underscored the genre's burgeoning prominence in Canada and beyond.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Supreet's story took a significant turn when she relocated to New York at 13. Amidst the whirlwind of adjustment, she yearned to reconnect with her Punjabi roots, feeling a profound disconnection in her new environment. The discovery of a Gurmukhi book sparked a journey of self-discovery, laying the foundation for her commitment to preserving Punjabi culture.
Surrey, a culturally diverse city in the heart of Metro Vancouver, hosts the largest Vaisakhi Parade outside of India. Drawing an astonishing crowd of approximately 500,000 people each year, the annual Surrey Vaisakhi Parade has become a monumental event that resonates far beyond the local Sikh community.
Hola Mohalla is an important Sikh festival that occurs the day after the Holi festival. "Hola" is derived from the word halla (a military charge), and the term "Mohalla" stands for an organized procession such as an army column.