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Vaisakhi : Sikh New Year celebrations

Handsworth Park
Sunday 28th April – 12pm -6.30pm.
FREE

One of the world’s largest Vaisakhi celebrations will be returning to Handsworth Park to mark the Sikh nation’s collective birthday.

Bringing a festive atmosphere to Handsworth Park, there will be live music, entertainment, Punjabi food and craft stalls. The traditional Langar – free vegetarian feast – will also be on offer.

There will be an area for worship (Darbar) which will be an important focal point, open to all communities to visit and understand the Sikh faith.

As well as the celebrations in Handsworth Park there will be two processions, one starting from the Baba Sang Gurdwara in Sandwell, and the other starting from the Ramgarhia Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) in the Jewellery Quarter.

At the head of each procession is the Guru Granth Sahib led by five Sikhs dressed in ceremonial costume to represent the five original Panj Pyare who were the first to join the Sikh order over 300 years ago.

The processions are due to arrive in the park at 1.30pm (Jewellery Quarter) and 2.00pm (Sandwell).

Car parking will be provided at Handsworth Leisure Centre for Disabled Badge Holders.

There will be an exclusion zone in operation around Handsworth Park and rolling road closures along the procession routes. Roads will be closed approximately one hour before the start of the procession and will re-open once the procession has safely passed through and the roads are clear.

The event is alcohol free and no smoking, and visitors are not allowed to bring dogs into the festival area.

The Vaisakhi celebration is organised by the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Birmingham with support from Birmingham City Council and other sponsors.

For more information telephone: 0121 303 3008 or visit:

www.vaisakhibirmingham.org

www.sikhcouncilbirmingham.org