Thousands take to Sandwell streets for vibrant Vaisakhi procession

The vibrant procession started yesterday morning and took the thousands of worshippers to the Sikh event in Handsworth Park.

Five baptised Sikhs dressed in traditional dress led the way behind a group of sweepers clearing the road for their bare feet.

Behind them orange flags waved the sound of music rang in the air as people followed in a loud procession.

Also just behind the front was the Holy Scriptures of Revelation - referred to as the living Guru Granth Sahib.

Starting from the Gurdwars Baba Sang temple in St Paul's Road at 11am, the procession weaved its way through the town and toward Handsworth Park.

It stopped at five gurdwaras along the way for short outdoor services and the picking up of more people.

Once at Handsworth Park, it joined up with another march from the Jewellery Quarter.

There was then a event with live music and entertainment along with the offering of Punjabi food, craft stalls and a free vegetarian feast.

Vaisakhi marks the start of the Sikh New Year and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born as a collective faith.

Danny Singh, one of the event organisers, said: "The event is the highlight of our calendar, it is a day people can all come together and celebrate their faith.

"It's not just for Sikhs, anybody can come along and get involved.

"I'm delighted at how it has gone today, to see so many people is fantastic."

People travelled from Wolverhampton, West Bromwich and Dudley to take part in the Vaisakhi celebrations.

Avtar Singh Dulay, aged 62, of South Road in Streetly, said: "All ages – children and adults – take the chance to come today and see each other.

"It is a day when everyone can stop and take pride – I haven't missed it for 52 years."

Jarnail Singh, 64, of Fox Yards in Tividale, said: "It is the birthday of the Sikh, a day we all celebrate our own birthdays – it is a wonderful day."

The event is usually celebrated on April 13 and 14, or the nearest Sunday.

The event followed similar events in Walsall and Wolverhampton as part of the annual festival. In Wolverhampton, a senior Sikh priest called Inderjeet Singh led the celebrations, which travelled from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Sedgley Street, Blakenhall.

He played harmonium and was accompanied by sitar and tabla players during prayers at the the Gurdwara that was visited by an estimated 8,000 people during the day of celebration.

In Walsall, nearly 7,000 people took part in the festivities, which set off from Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in West Bromwich Street.

The procession began at around 11am and rolling road closures were put in place as it travelled along West Bromwich Street, Caldmore Green, Wednesbury Road and on to The Broadway.

It returned to the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara for more prayers, hymns and refreshments.