| Los
Angeles
More
than 10,000 Sikh NRIs attended Baisakhi celebration in Los
Angeles
Vaisakhi is one of the
most important festivals in the Sikh calendar.
Los Angles, April 10, 2007
NRIpress
Sam Sidhu/Manjinder Sagoo
More than 10,000 NRI (non-resident Indians) sikhs from all
over the Southern California State attended Baisakhi celebration
in Los Angeles, marking the Punjabi new year and the start
of the harvest season. The celebration took place Sunday,
April 08, at the Los Angeles Convention Center from 7:30 p.m.
till evening. Nagar Kirtan include devotional music and a
colourful parade featuring 15 decorative floats through downtown
Los Angeles.
Nagar Kirtan, meaning, ‘town and songs of praise’
describes the street processions which form an important part
of the Vaisakhi celebrations. The holy book of the Sikhs,
'Granth Sahib' was taken in a procession, led by the 'Panj
Pyaras' (five senior Sikhs) who are symbolic of the original
leaders.
This is the single largest annual Punjabi event in Los Angles
area that shows cases the Punjabi performing arts and promotes
talent amongst the next generation of the local community.
The generosity of the community can be seen with people giving
free food along the streets, sharing, helping each other,
singing and walking in the parade. Families get together wearing
traditional clothes from far and wide. Businesses and other
community organizations are commonly seen sharing and giving
at their booths or on floats.
The Vaisakhi celebration in Los Angeles was
organized with the coordiation of 17 Sikh organizations- mostly
Gurdwaras of Southern California
Vaisakhi Day is of paramount importance for the Sikhs, as
it was on this day Guru Gobind Singh - the Tenth Guru of the
Sikhs sought to eliminate social discriminations with the
establishment of the universal caste Khalsa Panth.
Baisakhi or Vaisakhi Festival is celebrated as the Sikh New
Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth. History of Baisakhi
traces its origin from the Baisakhi Day celebrations of 1699
organized by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh to form
Khalsa - Brotherhood of Saint Soldiers to fight against tyranny
and oppression.
Baisakhi is one of the most popular festivals celebrated
in the vibrant state of Punjab to mark the harvest of Rabi
crops. Baisakhi usually falls on April 13, and on April 14
once every thirty-six years. Baisakhi is one of the festivals
where huge amount of cooking with authentic recipes and eating
takes place.
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