26 April 2011Last updated at 14:40

In pictures: Vaisakhi festivities in Birmingham 2011

Thousands of people joined in Vaisakhi celebrations in Birmingham's Handsworth Park on Sunday, 24 April 2011.

Two nagar kirtans (processions) set off from Gurdwaras in Hockley and Smethwick and joined the celebrations in the park.

Each procession was led by five Sikhs in ceremonial dress representing the Panj Pyare (The Beloved Ones) who founded the Sikh faith.

Vaisakhi is an important festival in the Sikh calendar as it commemorates the birth of the Khalsa Panth (Sikh Brotherhood).

Birmingham's Vaisakhi celebrations are now in their 20th year.

There was live music, sports and entertainment and Gurdwaras prepared food for a Langar (vegetarian feast).

There were also arts and crafts exhibitions.

The event in Birmingham is described as "one of the largest outdoor Vaisakhi celebrations in the world."

Birmingham & Black Country