Sikhs from all over the West Kootenay gathered to celebrate Vaisakhi in Castlegar on Saturday.
The ancient harvest festival has its origins in northern India, and has both cultural and religious significance, said Gurvinder Dhillon, one of the organizers.
The main cultural reason to celebrate is the selling and success of crops, and the main religious significance is the birth of the Khalsa, which is the collective body of all baptized Sikhs.
Originally established in 1699, Sikhs of the Khalsa can be identified with the given names Singh and Kaur, and the five K’s: kesh, kangha, kara, kachera and kirpan. These K’s signify a Sikh’s devotion to and commitment to the religion’s way of life.
The K’s represent uncut hair, a wooden comb, an iron bracelet, a specific style of cotton underwear and a curved sword.
In Castlegar, the festival is always celebrated on April 30. This year, approximately 60 people participated in prayers and songs followed by a luncheon.
In Surrey, Vaisakhi is always celebrated on the April long weekend. This year about 150,000 people participated.