OLYMPIA, Wash. (Diya TV) — The Consulate General of India in Seattle hosted Baisakhi celebrations at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, marking a vibrant cultural milestone for the Indian American Sikh community in the region.
The event, held on April 14, drew prominent state leaders including Governor Bob Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. State senators, legislators, and key members of the Sikh community across Washington also participated in the celebration, making it the first-ever observance of Baisakhi at the Capitol.
Governor Ferguson welcomed attendees and lauded the positive impact of the Sikh community across Washington. “We are grateful for the remarkable contributions of the Indian American Sikh community to the state’s cultural and economic fabric,” Ferguson said. In a symbolic gesture of recognition, he also issued a special proclamation honoring the festival of Baisakhi.
Joining the Governor in support, King County—home to 39 cities in the Greater Seattle area—along with Snohomish County and the cities of Kent, Auburn, and Marysville, each issued their proclamations designating April 14 as Baisakhi Day.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle posted on X. “The 1st Celebration of Baisakhi at State Capitol in Olympia! Thank you Governor Bob Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs for joining us in the celebrations. Deeply appreciate the impressive participation of eminent leaders from the Indian American Sikh community from across the State of Washington.”
Several community leaders were recognized and felicitated during the event for their significant contributions to local public service, small and medium-sized businesses, and the broader civic landscape of Greater Seattle.
Baisakhi, traditionally celebrated on April 13 or 14, marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The festival also coincides with the spring harvest season in northern India, particularly Punjab.
Celebrations across India were equally spirited. In Amritsar, thousands of devotees gathered at the Golden Temple, or Sri Harmandir Sahib, offering prayers and taking holy dips in the Sarovar, the temple’s sacred water tank. Gurudwaras across the country saw crowds of worshippers participating in Nagar Kirtans (religious processions), sharing kada prasad (a traditional sweet), and seeking blessings throughout the day.
In other parts of India, such as Haridwar in Uttarakhand, devotees took ceremonial dips at Har Ki Pauri ghat, while in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, special aarti ceremonies were held at the Mahakaleshwar Temple to mark the occasion.
The Baisakhi festival not only signifies spiritual renewal but also stands as a reminder of the Sikh values of equality, service, and unity. On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh abolished social divisions among caste communities and initiated the Khalsa, a collective body of committed Sikhs bound by shared identity and values.
With this inaugural Capitol celebration in Olympia, Washington has taken a meaningful step toward honoring and embracing its diverse cultural communities. The event underscored the growing recognition of the Indian American Sikh population’s enduring legacy and ongoing contributions to the state’s economic vitality and social cohesion.
