Pilgrims thronging Gurudwaras with gaiety and devotion

Devotees begin gathering from early morning at Gurudwara Damdama Sahib in Bhatinda, Punjab

Many volunteer in the Gurudwara to prepare sweets and meals for free distribution to devotees

Community kitchens were set up at numerous places

In the courtyard of the Gurudwara, women prepare chapattis for the langar (community kitchen)

Devotees eat at a langar at a Gurudwara to mark Baisakhi in Bhatinda

Youngsters display Gatka (martial art) skills at various demonstrations at Damdama Sahib Gurudwara

Devotees queue up to pay obeisance at Gurudwara Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on Baisakhi in Talwandi Sabo

Gatka Players in action during Nagar Kirtan (chanting hymns in a procession)

A group of Nihangs (Sikh warriors) perform gatka while on way to the Baisakhi mela

Weapon handling skills displayed by Nihang Sikhs

A Nihang Sikh performs stunts on his horse

A portrait of a Nihang warrior with big turban with symbols of Sikhism during the annual Nagar Kirtan procession through the streets of Talwandi Sabo

Devotees taking part in a special prayer session organised in the Gurudwara Damdama Sahib to mark Baisakhi

There are many Gurudwaras in the area and devotees throng them all during the Baisakhi period.

A devotee with a blue turban at Gurudwara Likhansar in Talwandi Sabo

Children and adults gather to learn writing in Gurumukhi (Punjabi script) at Gurdwara Sri Likhansar Sahib

The Baisakhi Mela, a cultural extravaganza, brings forth several facets of the day-to-day life in Punjab

Baisakhi, celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year in north India, is a harvest festival of the winter ( rabi) crops. For the Sikh community, the day is also as a celebration of the New Year and a day of thanksgiving to the Lord for their fortune and prayers for better crops the next year.

In the little town of Talwandi Sabo in Bhatinda district in Punjab, Baisakhi is also commemorated as the foundation of the Khalsa Panth (the Sikh religion) and completion of the sacred scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib by the tenth Guru Gobind Singh. Talwandi Sabo is also known as one of the Five Takhts (Seat) of the temporal authority of Sikhism.

Baisakhi sees large gatherings of pilgrims, who offer their prayers, recite religious songs and hymns at Gurudwara Damdama Sahib throughout the day. Besides the prayers, the devotees also participate in numerous cultural activities like sports festivals, exhibitions, Nagar Kirtan (chanting devotional songs during processions) and langars (community free kitchen) that are organised at several spots in the town, besides inside various Gurudwaras. Volunteers of all age groups participate in preparation of the langars and also invite people to join. The Gurudwaras are also decorated for the occasion. During the processions, youth and children demonstrate their martial skills like gatka (a unique Sikh martial art) with sticks, swords, shields and spinning nets.

Another famous pilgrimage of Talwandi Sabo is Gurudwara Shri Likhansar Sahib, where, as the legend has it, those who write the 35 alphabets of Gurmukhi (Punjabi script) are blessed with intelligence and knowledge.