One of Sikhism's most significant celebrations was held Saturday when the annual Nagar Kirtan-Vaisakhi parade wound its way along Ospika from the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Temple on Davis Crescent to Exhibition Park for an afternoon of music, dancing and food. Followers are also urged to take the seva pledge to selfless community service.
Nagar Kirtan is a processional singing of holy hymns throughout a community. While practiced at any time, it is customary in the month of Vaisakhi which commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa, or collective body of baptized Sikhs, at the holy city of Anandpur Sahib in 1699, by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
