Surrey Celebrates Vaisakhi

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Over 200,000 people from diverse cultures and religions celebrated Vaisakhi, the harvest festival, in Surrey by attending the Nagar Kirtan procession, which commemorates the Birth of the Khalsa in 1699 and marks the New Year for Sikhs.

“This event has been held in the streets of the community for the past 12 years, and we’re proud that so many people came out to this unique celebration marking the Anniversary of Khalsa in 1699,” says Moninder Bual, spokesperson for the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar Temple, organizers of Surrey’s Vaisakhi event. “We would like to thank everyone who came out and celebrated in such a positive way.”

There was excitement in the air as parade attendees, ranging in ages and ethnicities, watched the floats during the Nagar Kirtan, and along the route, there were food stalls, booths and stages, which featured performers from religious groups singing Kirtan to youth performing Bhangra and Giddha.

The Nagar Kirtan commenced at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple at 85th Avenue, and travelled along 124th Street, then the procession turned left onto 75th Avenue, continuing along 76th Avenue. The parade then headed up 128th Street, and the Granth returned to the Gurdwara on 85th marking the conclusion of the procession.

DARPAN Magazine participated in the Nagar Kirtan, and the team handed out copies of the special Vaisakhi collector’s issue, which went out faster than lightning to parade attendees. We would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous year!