Annual Vaisakhi Mela Will be Held on 27 April
The event commemorates the initiation of the first five members of the brotherhood of the Khalsa, which took place on April 13, 1699, and is a key date in the development of the faith. The ceremony took place, according to Sikh history, after worshipers had gathered to celebrate the Sikh New Year.
It is credited as the origin of the five Ks which gives Amritdhari, or initiated, Sikhs their unique look, which are kesh (uncut hair) kanga (wooden comb) kachera (special breeches) kirpan (sword) and the karra (iron bracelet.)
Mohan Singh Nayyar, general secretary of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in London said that all people of different faiths and cultures are invited to the event, which drew an estimated 7,000 spectators last year in 2013.
“We hope it will help remove ignorance about our faith, and spread the Sikh belief that all humans must be recognized as equal,regardless of their color, gender, religion, nationality or status, since no such distinction exists in the eyes of the Supreme Being,” he added.
The Birmingham procession will start at 11am from the Gurdwara Baba Sang in St Paul’s Road, Smethwick, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough, travelling along High Street, Tollhouse Way, Rabone Lane, Booth Street, Soho Road, Rookery Road, Oxhill Road, Grove Lane and arriving in Handsworth Park at 2pm.
