Victoria: Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan in Dandenong

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More than 2000 Sikh members from Melbourne took to the streets of Dandenong this Sunday, 10th April to mark annual celebrations of Khalsayee festival of Vaisakhi. A huge religious procession was held from Dandenong Plaza at 9:30 am, through the streets of the surrounding area, to finish at Dandenong park at 4pm.


A huge religious procession was held from Dandenong Plaza at 9:30 am, through the streets of the surrounding area, to finish at Dandenong park at 4pm.

The sound of drums filled the streets of Dandenong on Sunday as thousands of devout Sikhs took part in one of Melbourne’s biggest annual Nagar kirtan.

Traditional orange flags and outfits of the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan brought a splash of colour to a grey Sunday afternoon in Melbourne.

Massive crowds gathered to watch a colourful Sikh parade in Dandenong.

The procession commemorated the anniversary of the initiation of the first five members of the brotherhood of the Khalsa on April 13, 1699 – one of the most significant dates in Sikh history – as well as ushering in the spring.

 

station

 

Roads were closed along the route as people walked through the streets for the huge parade, which saw a major float decorated with flowers carrying Sikh Guru Granth Sahib ji, panj pyare (five baptised Sikhs) dressed in traditional dress lead the way behind a group of sweeper clearing the road for their bare feet.

There was plenty of free free food to all and singing hymns, with displays of gatka (Sikh martial-arts) as part of the celebrations.

At the Dandenong park, a stage was setup, where Dhadi Jatha of Budhanwal walian bibian performed and sang dhadhi vaars.

 

dignitaries

 

Other dignitaries who participated in the event included, Luke Donnellan, MLA Minister for Roads and Road safety Member for Narre Warren North, Gabrielle Williams MLA Member for Dandenong Parliamentary secretary for carers and volunteers, Gary Spencer candidate for Isaacs, Helen Kruger,Liberal candidate for Bruce and congratulated Sikh community her best wishes.and members for Inter faith representing various faiths.

 

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