Vaisakhi is the solar calendar-based New Year day for Hindus and Sikhs. In Kerala, it is celebrated as Vishu, in Tamil Nadu as Puthandu, in Bengal as Pohela Boishakh, and in Assam as Bohag Bihu.
Vishukkani, ‘that which is seen first,’ is the ritual where Hindus in Kerala arrange auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh lemon, green cucumber, betel leaves, gold and silver, money, and holy texts in a bell-metal vessel in the puja room and on waking up walk with closed eyes and see this positive sight. It is believed that this auspicious sighting will make the whole year favorable.
This auspicious viewing is practiced in Puthandu too. In Bengal on Pohela Boishakh, women clad in white saris with red borders and men clad in dhoti and kurta take part in the Prabhat Pheri processions early in the morning to welcome the first day of the year.
In Punjab, Vaisakhi is a harvest festival and Khalsa Sirjana Divas, i.e., the commemoration of the forming of the Khalsa Panth or the Order of the Pure Ones, by the 10th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh in April 1699. The festival is being celebrated from 14 April 1699. On Vaisakhi day, Gurdwaras are decorated, and kirtans are conducted. Sikhs march in processions called Nagar Kirtan, singing and chanting hymns from the Sikh scriptures.