Thousands gathered in the heart of Melbourne city to mark the festival of Vaisakhi – the celebration of the birth of Khalsa.
Vaisakhi is the most important Sikh festival and is celebrated by millions of Sikhs across the globe.
The festival marks the day in 1699 when the 10th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. It also marks the onset of the harvest season and the Sikh New Year.
A celebration of Sikh tradition, heritage and culture, the event at Federation Square included Shabad kirtan (spiritual music), langar (food), turban tying, folk music, stage plays, martial arts and children’s activities.
The Vaisakhi event, coordinated by Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council & Khalsa Education Society in association with more than 35 Sikh & Australian organisations, represented a showcase of Sikh culture and heritage.
The day was opened with Ardas (Sikh prayer) by the Sri Dasmesh Bagpipe Band followed by several marching tunes.
The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, was the guest of honor at the event in Melbourne's central hub at Federation Square.
Other guests at the event included Inga Peulich, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Andrew Crisp, Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police; Elizabeth Robertson from the Department of Home Affairs and Commander Guy McCrorie from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB).
Country Fire Authority (CFA) and MFB also held an information stall at the event to educate the community about fire safety and smoke alarms.
VSGC President S. Harshminder Singh warmly welcomed the guests and audience.
A choir of schoolchildren from the Bhai Gurdas Punjabi School Craigieburn, Baba Fateh Singh Academy Keysborough and SWEC Lynbrook performed during the celebrations.
There were also performances by the Gurmat Sangeet Academy Blackburn, Bhai Dya Singh Music Group, Gatka performance by Damdami Taksal Ranjit Akhara, a theatrical play by AMTA and Kavishri by Dal Baba Bidhi Chand Khalsa Shaouni Plumpton.
Various interfaith groups also attended the event and shared their Vaisakhi blessings with the Sikh Community.
The traditional Sikh practice of langar - serving of free vegetarian food - was also carried out at the event, and there was also an exhibition to display the contribution of Sikh ANZACs.
Project Coordinator Gurinder Kaur thanked the Federation Square management, Victorian Multicultural Commission and all supporting organisations and media for their contribution and hoped for the event to continue and grow each year.
There were also Vaisakhi day celebrations across the nation with Sydney hosting one of the biggest Sikh parades in Australia.
