Thousands of Sikhs gather for procession around city

The procession, called Nagar Kirtan, began on Sunday at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, on Bolton Road, as part of celebrations for Vaisakhi.

The Vaisakhi procession began at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, on Bolton Road, this morning. (Image: Newsquest)

The road was closed off as Sikhs gathered to hear prayers before the procession, led by the panj pyare (the five beloved ones).

The procession proceeded down Bolton Road, crossed Shipley Airedale Road, turned up Stott Hill in Little Germany and stopped at the Gurdwara Amrii Parchar Dharmik Diwan, which was the first gurdwara the procession would stop at on a six-mile journey through the city on Sunday.

The Vaisakhi procession stopped at the Gurdwara Amrii Parchar Dharmik Diwan in Little Germany. (Image: Newsquest)

"Vaisakhi is the beginning of our new year," said Daljit Singh Panesar, trustee of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara on Bolton Road. "This is a day of equality where everybody gets together to eat and sing.

"I'm proud to be a Sikh living in Bradford. Thousands of people in Bradford march together.”

Sikhs gathered at the Ramagarhia Gurdwara on Bolton Road this morning. (Image: Newsquest)

“This is an amazing event which means a lot to us,” said Satwant Singh. “Wherever you go in the world you’ll find a Sikh temple.”

“This day is special because it’s the birth of Khalsa,” said one woman.

Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj, vice president of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara and general secretary of Board of Representatives of the Bradford Gurdwaras, said: “The Bradford Sikh community has organised Nagar Kirtan which is celebrated with great pride and the procession visits all the Sikh places of worship (gurdwaras), commemorating the Birth of the Khalsa and Vaisakhi celebrations.”