Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Celebrating Culture and Community After a Long Hiatus, Vaisakhi Parades Return to Surrey and Vancouver

Naina Grewal Darpan, 13 Apr, 2023 10:50 AM
  • Celebrating Culture and Community After a Long Hiatus, Vaisakhi Parades Return to Surrey and Vancouver

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the vibrant and colorful Vaisakhi parades are back in Surrey and Vancouver, much to the delight of the local community. Vaisakhi is a significant festival in Sikhism and Punjab, commemorating the harvest season and the birth of the Khalsa, the community of baptized Sikhs. The festival has gained prominence in Canada, especially in British Columbia, home to the largest Sikh population outside of India.

Of course, the Nagar Kirtan, often referred to as the Vaisakhi parade, is an important religious procession in the Sikh faith, in which the community comes together to celebrate a special occasion or event. The term "Nagar" means "town or city" in Punjabi, and "Kirtan" means "singing of hymns" or "devotional music". Nagar Kirtan, therefore, refers to a town or city-wide procession in which devotees sing hymns and chants while walking together in a parade-like manner, led by Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

The Vaisakhi parade in Surrey is known to be the largest of its kind outside India, drawing over 500,000 people in previous years. The parade features colorful floats, music, dance, and food, showcasing the rich and diverse Sikh and Punjabi culture. The parade route starts at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, one of the largest Sikh temples in North America, and winds through the streets of Surrey, attracting participants and spectators from all over the Lower Mainland and beyond.

The Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver is also no less significant in its cultural and community impact. The parade starts at the Ross Street Sikh Temple and proceeds along Main Street, drawing thousands of people from diverse backgrounds. Both parades feature an impressive mix of traditional and modern elements, such as Gatka, Bhangra, and spirited singing. It is heartening to see each year how the parade culminates in a free community meal, or langar, where people of all faiths and backgrounds can sit together and share food as equals.

The return of the Vaisakhi parades in Surrey and Vancouver is not just a symbolic and cultural event but also a sign of economic and social recovery. The pandemic has hit our communities hard, both in terms of health and livelihoods. The closure of businesses, schools, and places of worship has disrupted the social fabric of the communities. The Vaisakhi parades offer a chance for people to come together and celebrate their resilience and optimism, to connect with old friends and make new ones, and to share their joy and faith with the wider society.

The Vaisakhi parades are also an opportunity for local minorities to showcase their contributions and diversity to Canadian society. Canada has welcomed immigrants from India and other South Asian countries for decades. In fact, Canada has welcomed a historic and record-breaking number of newcomers in 2022, hitting its target of 431,645 new permanent residents. Immigrant communities have integrated and contributed in various fields, such as business, education, arts, and sports. The Vaisakhi parades are a window into the vibrant and dynamic culture of the communities, and a chance to dispel stereotypes and misconceptions.

The return of the Vaisakhi parades in Surrey and Vancouver is a much-anticipated event for communities all over Canada, and a symbol of hope and resilience for all. The parades not only celebrate the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Sikh and Punjabi communities, but also serve as a platform for social and political issues, and for the voices of the marginalized to be heard. As the communities continue to recover from the pandemic and navigate the post-pandemic world, the Vaisakhi parades are a reminder of the enduring spirit of cultural and community celebration, and of the values of unity, diversity, and resilience that define Canadian society.

MORE National ARTICLES

One man killed in West Vancouver homicide

One man killed in West Vancouver homicide
A statement from West Vancouver police says the male victim was involved in an altercation with an unknown man just before 5 p.m. Tuesday. The statement does not confirm how the victim died.

One man killed in West Vancouver homicide

Suspect charged with mischief after more than 20 panes of glass were intentionally shattered at bus shelters: VPD

Suspect charged with mischief after more than 20 panes of glass were intentionally shattered at bus shelters: VPD
VPD officers responded to Granville and Georgia Street around 1:30 a.m. following reports that a man with a hammer was walking down the street and smashing glass at bus stops. Sergey Kurmanaev was taken to jail and has been charged with one count of mischief over $5,000.

Suspect charged with mischief after more than 20 panes of glass were intentionally shattered at bus shelters: VPD

Brace for familiar Canada-U.S. trade anxiety

Brace for familiar Canada-U.S. trade anxiety
The U.S. remains unhappy with how Canada has allocated the quotas that give American dairy producers access to markets north of the border. Canada and Mexico both took issue with how the U.S. defined foreign auto content. And Canada and the U.S. oppose Mexico favouring state-owned energy providers.    

Brace for familiar Canada-U.S. trade anxiety

Park board has tips to 'respect' Vancouver coyotes

Park board has tips to 'respect' Vancouver coyotes
Coyotes are found across Vancouver and prefer sheltered, wooded areas to raise their families, so the board says it will occasionally close trails in high-traffic locations like Stanley Park where they are known to frequent.

Park board has tips to 'respect' Vancouver coyotes

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response
The institute says the federal government shouldn't try to match the incentives and subsidies offered by the U.S. and instead tailor its measures for Canada. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has signalled the March 28 budget will include ways to keep Canada competitive as countries transition their economies to cleaner energy and technologies.    

Climate group urges 'made-in-Canada' response

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour
The federal minimum wage is rising to $16.65 per hour on April 1, up from $15.55. Ottawa set a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour in 2021 and increases it each year based on inflation. The changes are made every year on April 1.

Federal minimum wage rising to $16.65 per hour