The streets of Surrey will be filled with the sounds and sights of Sikhism this Saturday as more than 300,000 people are expected to participate in the city’s annual Khalsa Day Parade to celebrate Vaisakhi.

The parade or Nagar Kirtan – considered the largest of its kind outside India – will be a lively celebration to mark the Sikh New Year, pay tribute to the harvest and commemorate one of the most important days in the Sikh calendar - the creation of the Khalsa.

The Khalsa, was founded in 1699 as a Sikh brotherhood and sisterhood to fight adversity and continues to be at the heart of Sikhism.

From here the Sikh nation grew with a renewed identity and as a collective faith underlined by the principles of sewa or sacrifice for their fellow human beings.

“Vaisakhi is the holiest celebration in the Sikh faith, and honours the Sikh values of tolerance and generosity, peace, equality and justice,” said Premier John Horgan.

“As we gather to honour the most important date in the Sikh calendar, we pay tribute to the many contributions of the Sikh community to British Columbia.

“For more than 100 years, B.C. has been home to one of the largest Sikh populations outside of India. Our history has been shaped in part by Sikh people in B.C., and our lives are enriched by the inclusive, multicultural society we are so lucky to live in. British Columbia is a better place because of it.

“Our government will continue to champion the values of diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. And we will work to make life better for every person, in every community.

“Vaisakhi is celebrated widely in communities around the world, and I hope everyone will join together and experience the generosity of the Sikh community as we celebrate a happy and prosperous Vaisakhi,” he said in a statement.

Last year, the government of BC declared April as Sikh Heritage Month and announced that 15 South Asian historic places were being added to British Columbia’s Register of Historic Places.

Some of the recognized sites include:

• Punjabi Market, Vancouver – a collection of small businesses and stores, which historically have catered to the Punjabi community, this historic location illustrates the evolution and development of South Asian businesses following their initial involvement with the B.C.’s lumber industry. The Punjabi Market was thriving in the 1970s when a large influx of Punjabi people settled in South Vancouver and became inextricably woven into the city’s cultural fabric. It is also one of the gathering spots during Vaisakhi.

• Golden Sikh Temple, Golden – One of the earliest Sikh temples in B.C., though no longer standing, the gurdwara’s significance is recognized in its original location. The temple was far outside the Lower Mainland, and demonstrates early Sikhs had settled into B.C.’s southeast region. The gurdwara was a place where people practised their faith, socialized with others of the same faith and received the emotional support they needed to work and live so far from their homeland.

• Topaz Street Sikh Gurdwara, Victoria – Originally established in 1912 followed by the construction of a new building in 1969, this historic place was built by pioneers of the community, who faced many hardships in their journeys to British Columbia.  It served free meals and was a place for new immigrants to connect with the community.

“The values of Sikhism will wash over the streets of Surrey this Saturday… everybody is welcome,” said Harbinder Singh Sewak, who has been a key organizer of the Surrey parades.

Along the parade route in Surrey, Sikhs will share a message of peace, equality, and freedom of religion regardless of caste or creed, while community volunteers will hand out food and drinks to everyone in attendance.

Over 2500 participants representing over 20 community organizations will participate in this event, with thousands more celebrating the spirit of Vaisakhi in roadside booths along the parade route.

The most important float in the procession will carry the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, regarded as the teachings of the religion’s Ten Gurus

“The giving of food is at the heart of the Khalsa celebration,” said Moninder Singh, Dasmesh Darbar Temple spokesman, urging those attending the parade to bring non-perishable food items.

The Vancouver Vaisakhi parade which attracted tens of thousands was held last week.

Parade Route

Attendees of all cultures are welcome at the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade, which begins at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple (12885 85th Avenue in Surrey). The parade, which features a variety of floats, community groups, live music and dancers and performers travels along 124th Street, turns left onto 75th Avenue, continues on 76th Avenue, onto 128th Street, then back to the Temple.