Baisakhi falls on the first day of the Indian calendar month, Vaishakh, which is usually April 13. Most Sikhs visit a gurudwara on the day. The Golden Temple or Anandpur Sahib (where the Khalsa was pronounced) is first choice. But for those who can't get to either of these, the neighbourhood gurudwaras will do.

All gurudwaras hold prayer meetings on Baisakhi day. The holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, is ceremonially taken out, symbolically bathed with milk and water, and placed on its throne. The book is then read out to followers who have gathered in the gurudwara.

The five who answered Guru Gobind Singh's call for a sacrifice came to be called the panch pyare. Even now, on Baisakhi day, five priests going by that name chant verses recited by the five originals.

Amrita (holy nectar) prepared in an iron vessel is distributed after the verse-chanting. Devotees sip the amrita five times and take a vow to work for the brotherhood, the Khalsa Panth. Guru Gobind Singh had also used amrita prepared in an iron vessel, to bless the panch pyare. Religious songs (kirtans) are sung after the amrita is drunk.

After prayers, sweetened semolina is served. The function ends with the community lunch, or langar.

Later, the Guru Granth Sahib is taken out in a procession, symbolising the jouney made by the five fearless devotees from their homes to Anandpur, to be baptised by Guru Gobin Singh.

Traditional Punjabi folk dances - the Gidda and Bhangra - and mock duels are performed during the procession. The parade is typically Punjabi, with colourful drummers, bands playing religious tunes, people singing holy songs, and men swinging swords.

Loud Sikh chants such as 'Bole so nihal!' 'Deg teg fateh!' and rhythmic chants of 'Sat nam' and 'Wahe guru' ring out from the middle of the singing and drumming. Some men may wear the headgear (bana) of Guru Nanak, others that of Guru Gobind Singh, and yet others something in between.

In some places, especially Punjab, such processions are taken out even before Baisakhi.