Vaishakha

Vaishakha is a month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It is traditionally the second month after Chaitra and is part of the spring season in the Indian subcontinent. In most Hindu calendars, Vaishakha spans roughly April and May in the Gregorian calendar, though the exact dates vary with lunar cycles. The month can contain 29 or 30 days depending on the year.

In religious and cultural contexts, Vaishakha is associated with several observances and festivals. Akshaya Tritiya, considered an auspicious day for new beginnings and prosperity, often falls during Vaishakha. The Vaisakhi (Baishakhi) festival, celebrating harvest and, in Sikh tradition, the formation of the Khalsa in 1699, is typically observed in this period in parts of North India.

Regional variations exist in how the month is named and aligned with calendars. In Nepal’s Bikram Sambat calendar, the month corresponding to Vaishakha is commonly known as Baishakh (or Vaisakh) and occupies a roughly mid-April to mid-May window, aligning with the same spring season.

Beyond calendars and festivals, Vaishakha is used as a given name in India and neighboring regions, reflecting the cultural importance attached to the month. The term appears in literary and religious texts as part of traditional timekeeping and seasonal cycles.