Sudbury's Sikh community was joined by friends and supporters Sunday for a celebration of Sudbury's first ever Khalsa Day parade, celebrating the birth of the Sikh faith. The event was called a Nagar Kirtan march; a public procession to share their joy with the community.
The march began with a gathering of people of the Sikh faith along with scores of friends and supporters at the Sikh Temple on Regent Street. From there hundreds marched to the downtown area and eventually to Tom Davies Square.
Those taking part in the procession were asked to wear a traditional head covering.
Karanbir Badesha, a director at the Sudbury Sikh Temple, said one of the reasons for the parade is that some of the same ceremonies and rituals that are normally performed inside the temple can be taken outside to share with the wider community.
"So that the main purpose here is our awareness about Sikhism, about the rituals of Sikhism," said Badesha.
He said the Khalsa Day Parade also celebrates the birth of Khalsa, the purest form of Sikhism.
Badesha said the Sudbury Sikh community also invited several other community groups to join in the celebration and said he was pleased that so many people turned out.
The parade was escorted by Greater Sudbury Police Service, several Sikh motorcyclists, and a large transport vehicle from the 2ND Battalion of the Irish Regiment in Sudbury. A City of Greater Sudbury fire truck was also in the parade.
Early on in the parade, several sweepers were out to clean the road in front of the marchers. One Sikh man said this was a sign of respect for those carrying the holy text and for others who would follow. Many of those in the parade marched barefoot.
Throughout the parade, people of the Sikh faith stepped out to shake hands with members of the public and to distribute pamphlets explaining some of the basics of the religion and why they were celebrating Khalsa Day.
