Thousands enjoy Vaisakhi celebrations

A record crowd of more than 90,000 flocked to Sandwell and Birmingham for this year's annual Vaisakhi celebrations.

Bright orange clothing was visible as far as the eye could see as two huge processions, made up of around 30,000 people, made their way to Handsworth Park for an afternoon of celebrations yesterday.

The two parades had started at different locations - one at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick High Street and the other at Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, in Graham Street, Birmingham.

Thought to be the biggest Vaisakhi celebration outside India, the event marks the start of the Sikh new year, celebrating the formation of the Sikh nation or Khalsa Panth in 1699, and is held around this time of year to coincide with the traditional harvesting of crops in the Punjab.

The celebrations included live music, dancing and craft stalls. Hungry visitors enjoyed Punjabi food thanks to a Langar - a free vegetarian feast. Prab Singh, aged 37, from Tipton, was in the procession from Smethwick, along with six-year-old son Amarveer.

"I think Vaisakhi is always a great day, because it's something the whole community can get involved in," he said.

"It's a really special event and something we look forward to coming to every year."

Sukhbir Singh, aged 21, was at the celebration with friends Bandanpreet Sahrda, 13, Sandeep Bhath, 20, and Hanish Dubb, 21, all from Handsworth.

Mr Singh said: "Today is really about getting the whole community together.

"But I think it is also a day about giving something back to the community, because everyone is welcome here. It's the start of the year for Sikhs, so it's very important."

The five Sikhs leading each procession represented the original Panj Pyare (Beloved Ones) who were the first to join the Sikh order over 300 years ago.

Vaisakhi celebrations will also be held in Wolverhampton's West Park on Sunday.