CLICK THE LINKS ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT>> Photographs of the procession, can also be seen at www.sikhifm.net. Click the link on the top right>>  | | Four of the Panj Piare |
Led by a flag bearers and a motorbike decorated with Sikh symbols, the noisy, colourful Nagar Kirtan (street procession, or translated literally – 'meditation through sound, in a line') set off from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Sedgley Street, Wolverhampton, at about 11 am. Behind the flag bearers marched the Shirley Pipe Band, their version of 'Scotland the Brave' could occasionally be heard amid the booming beat of a runjeet nagara - a battle drum. Draped in banners, a 4x4 car bore the large drum, its drummer and a singer. In the Gurmukhi language, he sang: “Please God, bless me that I may never shy from doing good deeds…”, “The origin of the whole human race is one, recognize this…” and “The Khalsa is from God, all victory be to God…”.  | | Practicing Gatka |
A powerful PA system connected to speakers once used by Wembley Stadium ensured that the prayers could be heard in Wolverhampton city centre. Vaisakhi marks the birth of Sikhism, the day in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh, founded the order of the Khalsa (pure ones), by initiating the first five Sikhs, the Panj Piare. The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan takes the Guru Granth Sahib Jee (a book of Sikh scripture, known by Sikhs as a living, breathing guru) out of the Gurdwara and onto the streets, the procession can be seen as a living prayer. Behind the battle drum walked young dhol drummers, and young warriors leaping about and fighting - practicing an art called Gatka. Next were five older men, representing the Panj Piare, in saffron coloured robes and carrying Kirpans (ceremonial swords).  | | The procession - Dudley Road |
Kirpans drawn, the Panj Piare walked in front of the float carrying the Sedgley Street Gurdwara's Guru Granth Sahib Jee. The beautifully decorated float also carried more singers, and a very accomplished Sikh, traditionally known as a saint. Waving flags, praying, laughing and talking, the happy crowds massed behind this float and followed it from the Gurdwara along the Dudley Road, over Goldthorn Hill and back to the Gurdwara. Along the route, langar (free community meals) and soft drinks were served, leaflets explaining Vaisakhi were handed out and litter picked up - all demonstrations of seva (service) that is central to the Sikh faith. The procession took approximately four hours to complete the circular route - it finished with an invocation and a prayer of thanks.  | | Sanjay, Sangha and Harvey |
Sanjay, Sangha and Harvey, were part of the procession following the Guru Granth Sahib Jee float, they said: "It's religion - culture, innit? We've come to show our respects - we love it!". Jujhar Singh was taking photographs of the celebrations, he commented: “The procession is important because it allows Sikhs and non Sikhs to celebrate the intense Sikh spirituality and colourful Sikh history in an intense and colourful way. “I really enjoyed the procession, I felt at one with the whole crowd. It was very humbling and I feel privileged to have been given the chance to serve them and my Guru.".  | | Panj Piare |
==== PHOTOGRAPHS CLICK THE LINKS ON THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE FOR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT>> Photographs of the procession, can also be seen at www.sikhifm.net. Click the link on the top right>> ==== MORE VAISAKHI CELEBRATIONS Twelve Gurdwaras, from around Wolverhampton, will hold another Vaisakhi procession in Wolverhampton's West Park on the 1st of May 2005. | 
