Hundreds gather on P.E.I. for traditional Sikh celebrations

Hundreds of people from across the Island came together Saturday to take part in Vaisakhicelebrations.

Vaisakhi originated as a harvest festival in India's Punjab region hundreds of years ago and is celebrated every year in mid-April.

In 1699, it took on special significance for Sikhs when Guru Gobind Singh the 10 Sikh guru created the order of the Khalsa.

Savneet Singh, one of the organizers of the event, said Khalsameans "pure."

"Pure means to make the ultimate man, the ultimate man in the sense that the Khalsa can raise, if there's a situation to raise a voice against injustice, Khalsa has to step forward," Singh said.

Singh said more than 300 people attended the celebration at the HillsboroughPark Community Centre in Charlottetown throughout the day. He said the event was the biggesthe'shosted on the Island so far and a sign thatthe Sikh community is growing on P.E.I.

"We had not expected this, some are living in Montague, some are living in Hunter River," Singh said. "The community is growing here, it's a beautiful place."

Music, prayers, community feast

The celebrationfeatured music, hymns and prayers and a presentationabout the origins ofVaisakhiand its importance within Sikh culture.

The day ended with the Sikhtradition oflangar,which is the free community meal offered every day at Sikh temples around the world.

"It's free and everyone, every religion, every caste can come over here," Singh said. "There's no restrictions for man, for woman, any religion because as for Khalsa ideology all human race is one."

During the meal, everyone sits together on the floor, which Singh said is a symbol that everyone is equal.

The event was open to anyone who wanted to attend. Singh said he plans to host more public events to create opportunities for everyone on the Island to learn more about Sikh culture.

"We are a part of P.E.I. and we are a part of Islanders," Singh said. "I would request everyone to come join and learn something new about our religion.

"We are all one human race and anyone can be a part of this event."

Singh said the community will host the annual celebrationon P.E.I. again next spring.

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