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Thousands expected to line the streets of Hounslow this Sunday to watch colourful parade
Sikh worshippers prepare for last year's Vaisakhi procession through Hounslow
Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Hounslow this Sunday for a procession marking one of the holiest dates in the Sikh calendar.
Worshippers will form a river of orange as they celebrate Vaisakhi with the annual parade, now in its 16th year.
The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan is due to leave from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Hanworth Road, Hounslow, at 1pm.
Participants will wind their way west to the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sweak Jatha, in Martindale Road, Hounslow, where they are due to stop briefly at 3.45pm. They will return to the starting point, where they are due to arrive at 5pm.
Celebrations will begin at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at 8am and are set to continue after the parade until 7.45pm. Drivers have been warned to expect delays in the area during the procession.
The route of this year's Vaisakhi procession through Hounslow
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 worshippers had gathered to celebrate the Sikh New Year.
It is credited as the origin of the five Ks which gives Amritdhari, or baptised, Sikhs their unique look: kesh (uncut) hari, kanga (wooden comb), kachera (special breeches), kirpan (sword) and karra (iron bracelet).
Mohan Singh Nayyar, general secretary of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, invited people of all events to witness the parade, which drew an estimated 7,000 spectators last year.
"We hope it will help remove ignorance about our faith and spread the Sikh belief that all humans must be recognised as equal - regardless of their colour, sex, religion, nationality or status - since no such distinction exists in the eyes of the Supreme Being," he added.
* A Vaisakhi Mela is due to take place in Lampton Park, Hounslow, on Sunday, April 13, from midday to 7pm.
The festival, organised by Akash Radio UK, will feature appearances by the Punjabi film star Binnu Dhillon, comedian Rana Ranbir and singers Debi Makhsoospuri and KS Bhamra, among other performers. The event, at which alcohol will be banned, will also include a fun-fair and a range of food and market
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/sikhs-set-for-vaisakhi-procession-6879015
Sikh worshippers prepare for last year's Vaisakhi procession through Hounslow
Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Hounslow this Sunday for a procession marking one of the holiest dates in the Sikh calendar.
Worshippers will form a river of orange as they celebrate Vaisakhi with the annual parade, now in its 16th year.
The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan is due to leave from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Hanworth Road, Hounslow, at 1pm.
Participants will wind their way west to the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sweak Jatha, in Martindale Road, Hounslow, where they are due to stop briefly at 3.45pm. They will return to the starting point, where they are due to arrive at 5pm.
Celebrations will begin at the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at 8am and are set to continue after the parade until 7.45pm. Drivers have been warned to expect delays in the area during the procession.
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 worshippers had gathered to celebrate the Sikh New Year.
It is credited as the origin of the five Ks which gives Amritdhari, or baptised, Sikhs their unique look: kesh (uncut) hari, kanga (wooden comb), kachera (special breeches), kirpan (sword) and karra (iron bracelet).
Mohan Singh Nayyar, general secretary of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, invited people of all events to witness the parade, which drew an estimated 7,000 spectators last year.
"We hope it will help remove ignorance about our faith and spread the Sikh belief that all humans must be recognised as equal - regardless of their colour, sex, religion, nationality or status - since no such distinction exists in the eyes of the Supreme Being," he added.
* A Vaisakhi Mela is due to take place in Lampton Park, Hounslow, on Sunday, April 13, from midday to 7pm.
The festival, organised by Akash Radio UK, will feature appearances by the Punjabi film star Binnu Dhillon, comedian Rana Ranbir and singers Debi Makhsoospuri and KS Bhamra, among other performers. The event, at which alcohol will be banned, will also include a fun-fair and a range of food and market
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/sikhs-set-for-vaisakhi-procession-6879015