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The 34th Annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City. (Parminder Sahi photos) |
Nov 11, 2013: YUBA CITY, Calif, United States - Thousands of spectators flocked the streets of Yuba City during the 34th Annual Sikh Parade Nov. 3, which marked the end of a thee-day religious celebration to commemorate the day of installation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikhs from Canada, England and India along with Sikhs from all over the United States participated in this largest West Coast Sikh event.
A procession of more than two dozen decorated floats paraded through various parts of the city.
In keeping with centuries-old tradition, five baptized Sikhs dressed as Panj Pyaras holding swords walked in front of the float bearing Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Langar was one of the biggest attractions for parade participants and visitors.
34th annual Sikh parade, festival attract thousands
Thousands of spectators from across the west coast are gathering in yuba city today for the third annual peak parade. In the past years there has been an indication that there will be nothing small about this parade. It is already packed this morning, hundreds of thousands of people are attending this festival. despite the wind, everyone is very excited here in yuba city. Many people got here four hours early because they are serving free meals around the clock. It sure smells good this morning. That parade starts at the temple and there will be hundreds of floats. It will be a bit of a challenge to keep the tents up with all of the wind out here. Organizers say that this is a great celebration where they can share their culture and food with everyone who come from around the world, from as far away as canada and england, and here we have a lot of people lining up for the delicious, tasty food. Everyone is invited to come out and have a warm meal. This year organizers have added a free shuttle service starting at river valley high school this morning and it goes throughout the day.
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| 2012 Nagar Kirtan festivities at the Sikh Temple Yuba City in Yuba City, California. (Photo: Karaminder Ghuman) |
Rupinder Mohan Singh on October 30, 2013: The largest of its kind in America, the 34th annual Yuba City Nagar Kirtan (Sikh religious procession) is taking place this weekend, centered at the Sikh Temple Yuba City in Yuba City, California. The festivities begin on Friday, November 1, and culminates in the religious procession on Sunday, November 3.
It is estimated that 75,000 people attended last year’s event, which is held annually to commemorate the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib — the Sikh scriptures — as the Sikhs’ living Guru by Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, the position it still occupies till this day.
See the full schedule of events at the Sikh Temple Yuba City website, or on the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan Facebook page.