The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (331 page)

Hindu spring festival. The first day of the Hindu solar month Vai
kha (Apr.–May), it is New Year's Day by the solar calendar of S. India and a spring harvest festival in N. India, celebrated with
mel
s
, dances, and folksongs. Celebrated on or near 13 Apr., Bais
kh
is of special importance to Sikhs.
Gur
Amar D
s
enjoined Sikhs to assemble in the presence of the Gur
. After abolishing the
masand
order
Gobind Si
gh
bade Sikhs to contribute directly to the treasury of the Gur
on Bais
kh
. In 1699 he instituted the
kh
ls