Every year for over 40 years, hundreds of thousands of Sikhs have marched through the streets of Britain in celebration of Vaisakhi.

By now, millions of Brits are used to seeing processions in celebration all over the land, from Southampton to Glasgow and dozens of places in between. Yet, very few outside of the Sikh community actually know what Vaisakhi is.

So what is Vaisakhi?

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is celebrated as they day of the creation of the Khalsa. Culturally, much of India celebrates Vaisakhi as a harvest festival, something incorrectly associated with the Sikh celebration. Vaisakhi is often also referred to as the Sikh New Year, something which is also untrue

In 1699 in Punjab, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, asked a crowd of thousands if anyone would be willing to give their heads to their Guru. In response, five men – all of differing castes and backgrounds – stepped up to offer their heads to their Guru. After anxious moments where Guru Gobind Singh Ji took the men into a tent, only to emerge with a bloody sword, the men emerged dressed in what is now recognised as traditional Sikh garbs. Guru Gobind Singh Ji then publicly initiated the men, before asking them to do the same for Him. These men, later known as the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) and were the very first members of the Khalsa.

Who are the Khalsa?

The Khalsa is the eternal living embodiment of the Sikh Guru. Any initiated Sikh is a member of the Khalsa and will thus represent this outwardly by wearing the Five K’s and in their everyday actions by living as a sant-sipahi (saint-soldier). The role of the Panj Pyare is portrayed during Nagar Kirtans (neighbourhood hymn singing), where five members of the modern Khalsa will lead a procession, whilst prayers are recited and free food offered to all in the vicinity. Nagar Kirtans are a traditional form of Sikh celebration and nowadays will also showcase displays of Sikh martial-arts, have charity fundraisers and other forms of education and entertainment.

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a time for reflection, when people are more inclined to become initiated into the Khalsa. This year there will be approximately 30 Nagar Kirtans throughout Britain, with anywhere from 1000-15000 people following a procession. People from any background are welcome to join in and take part in all Vaisakhi celebrations.

This year the Southall Nagar Kirtan will start at 10:30am on Sunday 12 April from Park Avenue Gurdwara, going through New Southall (past Southall park) and finishing at Havelock Gurdwara approximately 4pm.