Hounslow goes orange for Sikh celebration
A SEA of orange rolled through Hounslow as thousands of Sikhs took to the streets to celebrate Vaisakhi on Sunday (April 4).
Worshippers from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Hanworth Road, Hounslow, and the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara, in Martindale Road, Hounslow, joined the colourful parade.
Second World War veterans mingled with young Sikhs currently serving in the British Army, among the throng, for the 12th annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan (procession) through Hounslow.
The parade was led by a Nagara (large drum) on a pick-up truck, which announced the procession's arrival to the waiting faithful along the route.
Closely following were 10 Nishanchi Singhnians (young ladies carrying khalsa flags), five young men also carrying khalsa flags and the Panj Pyaray (beloved five), all escorting the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book).
About 10,000 people lined the route, according to organisers' estimates, for the event.
Vaisakhi is a traditional harvest festival and marks the beginning of the Sikh new year. It also commemorates the establishment in 1699 of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, which was effectively the foundation of modern Sikhism.
A SEA of orange rolled through Hounslow as thousands of Sikhs took to the streets to celebrate Vaisakhi on Sunday (April 4).
Worshippers from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Hanworth Road, Hounslow, and the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara, in Martindale Road, Hounslow, joined the colourful parade.
Second World War veterans mingled with young Sikhs currently serving in the British Army, among the throng, for the 12th annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan (procession) through Hounslow.
The parade was led by a Nagara (large drum) on a pick-up truck, which announced the procession's arrival to the waiting faithful along the route.
Closely following were 10 Nishanchi Singhnians (young ladies carrying khalsa flags), five young men also carrying khalsa flags and the Panj Pyaray (beloved five), all escorting the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book).
About 10,000 people lined the route, according to organisers' estimates, for the event.
Vaisakhi is a traditional harvest festival and marks the beginning of the Sikh new year. It also commemorates the establishment in 1699 of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, which was effectively the foundation of modern Sikhism.
