Hundreds of Sikhs join in biggest Vaisakhi celebrations

London, UK: Hundreds of Sikhs from across the county will descend on a city temple for one of the biggest celebrations of the year this weekend.

The Guru Nanak Cultural and Recreation Centre, in Tunbridge Street, Ribbleton, Preston, will host the annual Vaisakhi celebration with prayers, hymns and food.

The celebration will see Sikhs reciting holy scriptures for 48 hours.

Vaisakhi is a long established harvest festival.

In 1699 the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, chose Vaisakhi as the occasion to transform the Sikhs into a family of soldier saints, known as the Khalsa Panth.

The events at the weekend will mark the anniversary of the creation of Khalsa’, upon which the religion is based.

The centre will host the celebration from today until Sunday.

Sunday will see the raising of the Nishan Sahib flag.

Nirmal Singh, the Sikh representative on the Preston Faith Forum said: “The non stop reading of the holy book will be volunteers from the Sikh community.

“Everyone will do an hour or two hours.

“Men and women will take equal part in the reading of the holy book and all the activities.”

Mr Singh added: “Anyone can come and join in our activities and contribute to our celebrations and join in.

“We would like to extend the message of harmony and peace to all communities of Preston, the UK and the world.

Vaisakhi will be celebrated by scores of Sikh communities up and down the country across the weekend.

Source: Lep.Co.UK