Indians in Prince Rupert gathered on April 13 for prayer and shared a communal meal, honouring the Vaisakhi festival.
Although this was a prelude, the full-fledged festivities will be held from Friday, April 18, to Sunday, April 20, at the Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh place of worship) on 4th Avenue.
The sacred day, which is traditionally observed on April 13 or 14, holds a deep cultural and spiritual essence in the Indian community.
“Vaisakhi is a significant festival for Sikhs,” said Gurvinder Randhawa, a city councillor in Prince Rupert. He also shared that on April 14, the city council approved a request for proclamation from the Indo-Canadian Sikh Association to declare April as the Sikh Heritage Month in Prince Rupert.
In Canada, this month is annually celebrated to recognize and honour the history, culture, and contributions of the Sikh community.
Vaisakhi is part of this month, and also known as Khalsa Day. It is considered a celebration of the creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699, which serves as a community for dedicated Sikhs who wish to demonstrate their deep commitment to their faith through initiation.
Baljinder Basi is an active member of the Indo-Canadian Sikh Association. She moved to Rupert from England in 1984. At that time, there were about 100 Indian families in town, but the community has grown since then.
“Vaisakhi celebration brings the community together, fostering unity and strengthening bond. It is a celebration of spiritual growth and commitment to Sikh values, honouring the sacrifices and bravery of our Gurus,” said Basi.
Basi continues to serve some cooked meals to several devotees who gathered to pray and feast on langar (a free communal meal) at the temple. She hopes that the next generation continues to follow the value of service.
Basi warmly invites everyone to a special program this weekend at the Gurdwara.
The main event is the Akhand Path, a continuous reading of the “Guru Granth Sahib” (the Sikh holy scripture), which begins on Friday, April 18 at 6:00 a.m. and will go on without pause until the afternoon on Sunday, April 20. This sacred reading takes about 72 hours and is done to seek spiritual guidance and blessings.
During the entire program, all visitors will be served a free meal, no matter their background. Sharing food this way is an integral part of the Sikh faith, symbolizing equality, service, and compassion.
On Saturday, April 19 between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., a special Nishan Sahib ceremony will take place outside the Gurdwara. The Nishan Sahib, a tall Sikh flag, symbolizes the Sikh presence and pride in the community.
The program will also feature Kirtan (devotional singing) on Sunday morning around 11:00 a.m. followed by the final portion of the langar.
All visitors are kindly requested to cover their heads as a sign of respect when entering the Gurdwara.
“The mission of the Khalsa is to work toward degh tegh fateh – or food, freedom and victory – for everyone, regardless of faith or background. B.C.’s Sikh community exemplifies this spirit of service during Vaisakhi and every day through acts of seva, or selfless service to others,” said Premier David Eby in a recent press release.
The Gurdwara in Prince Rupert offers prayer services led by the Sikh religious official and a free meal to all attendees every Sunday afternoon.
