Arts, Culture & Entertainment

PHOTOS: The Nagar Kirtan Baisakhi Celebrations

After a four year hiatus, the Sikh community gathers for the annual Baisakhi celebrations.

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On Sunday April 2nd, langar was served by local Sikh Temples, or Gurdwaras, for the thousands of attendees at the event. Langar is defined as the community kitchen that serves free food to all people regardless of their sex, race, caste/class, or any other facet of their identity. (Photo by Benti Kaur)

By Benti Kaur

Thousands of Sikh individuals gather inside the Los Angeles Convention center on Sunday, April 2, dressed in white, blue and bright orange. They enter the main hall (Darbar Hall) and bow to the Guru Granth Sahib and eat langar.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Baisakhi celebrations, called the Nagar Kirtan, was held online for the past three years. This year, it was held in person where thousands of people from California and out-of-state congregated to celebrate around downtown L.A.

The theme of this year’s Baisakhi celebrations was the “Panj Pyare,” which means “five loved ones” in Punjabi. Baisakhi is the holiday based on the story of five brave souls who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the Sikh Panth. The sakhi, or fable of the Baisakhi holiday, depicts Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh who stepped up and gave their lives for their guru.

Nagar Kirtan is loosely defined as the singing of hymns in a residential area and consists of the Sikh congregation parading around the neighborhood chanting prayers and hymns. In this year’s Nagar Kirtan, the streets around the L.A. Convention Center were closed down. Prior to the parade, the Sikh congregation gathered inside the Convention Center for prayers inside the Darbar Hall.

Outside the convention center, speakers discussed the current state of Indian oppression in Punjab. Many wore or carried flags representing the Khalsa panth (Sikh congregation). The protest is an attempt to bring light to the arrests of Sikh activists and media blackouts happening in Punjab right now.

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Nagar Kirtan participants line up in the Darbar Hall to pay their respects to the holy book known as the Guru Granth Sahib. (Photo by Benti Kaur)

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A man wears a flag with the symbol of the Khalsa panth on it. (Photo by Benti Kaur)

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On Sunday April 2, langar was served by local Sikh Temples, or Gurdwaras, for the thousands of attendees at the event. Langar is defined as the community kitchen that serves free food to all people regardless of their sex, race, caste/class or any other facet of their identity. (Photo by Benti Kaur)

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The meal being served at this year’s Nagar Kirtan included roti (tortilla-like bread), daal (lentils), shahi paneer (cheese cubes) and kadi (curry). (Photo by Benti Kaur)

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Devjit Singh Bedi engages in acts of seva, or selfless service, by manning the Wheelchair Assistance Program at the convention center. Bedi assisted elderly and disabled people traveling between different rooms in the convention center. (Photo by Benti Kaur)

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A vendor sells wooden carvings of Sikh Gurus. Small Sikh businesses sold a variety of items at a bazaar, like traditional Punjabi jewelry and clothing, as well as other religious household items and decor. (Photo by Benti Kaur)

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A young Sikh boy shows off his artwork in the Baisakhi Kids Room. The room is set aside for kids and parents to play games, draw and talk in preparation for the Nagar Kirtan. (Photo by Benti Kaur)