Victoria Park in downtown London, Ont., was bustling on Sunday for the city’s fourth annual Nagar Kirtan, which celebrates Khalsa Day.
This event signifies the Sikh New Year and honors the establishment of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
More than 5,000 people showed up for this year’s celebration, as per Amolak Singh, vice-president of the London Sikh Society.
“This day brings us together across communities on the basis of love and helping others without discrimination,” he said.
Singh mentioned that while Nagar Kirtan is a religious parade, it also serves as a chance for non-Sikhs to learn about Sikh culture and beliefs.
Amolak Singh is the Vice President of the London Sikh Society, which organized has organized the event in Victoria Park for the past four years. (Jack Sutton/CBC)
“We want to tell other people about the Sikh community – what our beliefs are and what our ideas are,” he said.
Attendees waited in line to show their respects to the Guru Granth Sahib, which is Sikhism’s main religious scripture, displayed on the main stage while hymns called Gurbani were recited nearby.
Other lines stretched across the park at booths offering free food, while large groups gathered to watch Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art performed with wooden swords.
A large crowd gathered to watch Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art in which people fight with wooden swords. (Jack Sutton/CBC)
“Every year, the Nagar Kirtan gets bigger because our population is growing in London,” Singh noted.
He added that attendees came from other communities in Ontario like St. Thomas and Windsor.
Nishanth Krishna was visiting London from Brampton with his family when they decided to join in on the festivities.
Originally from Karnataka in southern India, Krishna isn’t Sikh but shared how touched he was by the generosity and inclusion he witnessed – especially with all the free food being provided throughout the park.
Nishanth Krishna and his family travelled from Brampton, Ont., and attended the festival in London. (Jack Sutton/CBC)
“It is not for one community; it is for all communities,” he said. “Everyone is welcome here.”
‘To serve everyone and anyone’
Across the park, food stalls distributed various free vegetarian Indian dishes.
Providing free meals aligns with a long-standing Sikh tradition known as Langar, according to Sahil Rajpal, who spent his day cooking there.
“There’s a term called Langar; it basically means to serve everyone and anyone,” he explained. “It doesn’t matter your religion or caste.. you serve everyone.”Sahil Rajpal spent his day cooking food with his friends to give out for free (Jack Sutton/CBC)
Rajpal mentioned that he set up their stall with about 10 friends who all chipped in money for ingredients.
“We just work as a community,” he added.
Toward around 4 p. m., they estimated having served at least 2,000 individuals.
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