Sikhs across Bradford celebrats Vaisakhi with communities

Vaisakhi marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is celebrated annually in April.

For Sikhs, in addition to Vaisakhi’s significance as the harvest festival, during which Sikhs hold kirtans, visit local gurdwaras, community fairs, hold Nagar Kirtan processions, raise the Nishan Sahib flag and gather to socialise and share festive foods, Vaisakhi observes major events in the history of Sikhism.

Wycliffe C of E Primary School in Saltaire celebrates Vaisakhi. (Image: Newsquest)

A special parade celebrating the festival is planned on Sunday in Bradford city centre, but yesterday (April 12) Wycliffe C of E Primary School in Saltaire celebrated Vaisakhi with parents, children and members of the community.

A celebration cake and a large selection of food was blessed by a visitor from the local gurdwara and was then shared with local people.

A young boy takes a look at all of the food celebrating Vaisakhi at Wycliffe C of E Primary School in Saltaire. (Image: Newsquest)

Chloe Jukes, RE Lead Teacher, said: "We believe it's important for all children to learn about fundamental British values including mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

“We would like to thank the families who have organised this generous event for the lovely opportunity for our school community to experience and learn more about the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi. All who came said how delicious the food was and what a fantastic event it was."

Parent Amardip Kaurnagra said: "Sikh parents and volunteers doing langar sewa spreads the message of being kind, caring and recognising the human race as one.

“Doing this spreads awareness about the establishment of the Khalsa Panth during Vaisakhi by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh."

Parents and children sample some of the foods celebrating Vaisakhi at a Wycliffe Primary in Saltaire. (Image: Newsquest)

The Nagar Kirtan procession will commence from Ramgarhia Gurdwara, on Bolton Road, Bradford, at 10:30am on Sunday.

Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj, vice president of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara and general secretary of Board of Representatives of the Bradford Gurdwaras, said: “The Bradford Sikh community has organised Nagar Kirtan which will be celebrated with great pride and the procession visits all the Sikh places of worship (gurdwaras), commemorating the Birth of the Khalsa and Vaisakhi celebrations.

He added: “We are keen to share with the community some of the faith practices in readiness for the Nagar Kirtan and these will start at the gurdwara at 9:30am.”

At the commencement, the gurdwara will receive the following dignitaries: Lord Lieutenant, Sir Ed Anderson; Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Gerry Barker and The Lady Mayoress, Mrs Jean Barker; and Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd Toby Howarth.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Metro said: “Bradford city centre, Vaisakhi Parade (Bradford). Services affected: Arriva, First, Flyer, Keighley Bus Company and TLC services. Bradford's Vaisakhi parade takes place on Sunday, April 14, from 10.30am to 3pm. Possible disruption to services due to rolling road closures being in place.”