Punjabi Festivals: Vaisakhi, Lohri, Gurpurab and More
The main festivals of Punjab and the Punjabi-speaking world, with the words and greetings used for each.
Festivals are a good way to learn vocabulary in context.
Vaisakhi (ਵਿਸਾਖੀ)
Vaisakhi falls in mid-April, marking the harvest and the spring new year in Punjab. For Sikhs, it also commemorates the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. Communities hold processions, prayers and fairs.
Lohri (ਲੋਹੜੀ)
Lohri is celebrated in mid-January, in the cold of winter. People gather around a bonfire (ਅੱਗ), and offer sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts and popcorn. Families with a newborn baby or a recent wedding often celebrate it with special joy.
Gurpurab (ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ)
ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ marks the birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, especially Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is observed with prayers, hymn singing (ਕੀਰਤਨ), and ਲੰਗਰ.
Holla Mohalla (ਹੋਲਾ ਮਹੱਲਾ)
Held around the time of Holi in March, and best known at Anandpur Sahib, it is a gathering with martial arts displays, music and poetry.
Teeyan (ਤੀਆਂ)
ਤੀਆਂ is a monsoon festival for women and girls, with swings, songs and ਗਿੱਧਾ dancing.
Bandi Chhor Divas
Sikhs observe ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ around the time of Diwali, with lights at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Greetings
| Punjabi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ਵਿਸਾਖੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। | Happy Vaisakhi. |
| ਲੋਹੜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। | Happy Lohri. |
| ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। | Greetings on Gurpurab. |
The word ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (congratulations, best wishes) is used for many occasions.
Festival dates vary, so check a calendar for exact days each year.
Tips
- Learn ਵਧਾਈਆਂ.
- Learn each festival's key words.
- Use the dictionary to check terms.
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