Baisakhi festival at Golden Temple - Amritsar

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A Sikh woman devotee offers prayers at the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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Crowds of Sikh devotees visit the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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A Sikh devotee takes a holy dip in the sacred pond of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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A Sikh devotee takes a holy dip in the sacred pond of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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A Sikh devotee takes a holy dip in the sacred pond of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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An Indian girl gestures as she holds 'Prashad', the holy offerings in her hands at the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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Sikh devotees visit the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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A Sikh devotee takes a holy dip in the sacred pond of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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Two Indian children react to the camera as they visit the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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A devotee takes a nap sitting in the compound of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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Sikh devotees take holy dip in the sacred pond of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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A Sikh girl devotee offers prayers at the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival.

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Sikh devotees visit the Golden temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in the world, on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival in Amritsar. This important festival celebrates Sikh New Year and the founding of the Sikh community, known as the Khalsa, in 1699.

Sikh devotee visit Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine all over the world, on the occasion of Baisakhi festival in Amritsar, India, April 14, 2011.

Vaisakhi or Baisakhi is a very important day for Sikhs and one of the most colourful events in the Sikh calendar. It occurs during mid-April every year and traditionally concurs in Punjab with the first harvesting of the crops for the year. So, historically, it has been a very joyous occasion and a time for celebration. However, since 1699, it had marked the very significant religious event of the creation of the Khalsa.