Hundreds of thousands came out to celebrate the harvest festival that also marks the New Year and the birth of the Khalsa in 1699.
The annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan celebrated with much joy and vigour in Vancouver once again displayed the generosity and togetherness of the Sikh community.
Individuals ranging from politicians to business men to children were all in high spirits that the festival brings along and started gathering at the Ross Street Gurudwara in the morning.
After everyone submitted their prayers at the Gurudwara, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji left the temple’s gates on top of a float headed by a contingent of individuals dressed in traditional Sikh warrior attire, including five individuals portraying the ‘Panj Pyare.’
The Nagar Kirtan procession followed the holy book with floats of varying sizes and colours, decorated vehicles and parade attendees.
The Nagar Kirtan commenced on Ross Street, and headed south to SE Marine Drive towards Main Street, then headed up north on Main Street towards 49th Avenue. The Punjabi Market was the centre of the parade where the hustle and bustle was mixed with the numerous food stalls and entertainment.
Here after, the Nagar Kirtan went along 49th Avenue to Fraser Street, and headed south towards 57th Avenue to Ross Street. The Granth returned to Ross Street Temple marking the conclusion of the procession. Vaisakhi is one of the longest parade routes in BC at 6 kilometres.
DARPAN Magazine participated in the Nagar Kirtan, and the team handed out copies of the special Vaisakhi collector’s issue. Look out for DARPAN’s team at the upcoming Nagar Kirtan in Surrey on Saturday, April 20th to get your copy of the Vaisakhi collector’s issue.