Visitors join Sikhs to mark Vaisakhi
The Vaisakhi celebrations at Maidenhead Gurdwara took place across 48 hours at the weekend – seeing 800 visitors to this Sikh holy event.
It is one of the main Sikh religious celebrations and is
‘of huge cultural and religious significance’ across the world.
It remembers the Baptism of the Sikhs in the year 1699, celebrating the rejection of the caste system and the importance of equality.
The Vaisakhi day is the
‘birth of Khalsa’, which means universal brotherhood – the message of one good, love, peace, equality, and no discrimination.
The celebration took place at the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sat Sabha, Maidenhead (also known as the Maidenhead
Gurdwara) from April 14-16.
More than 800 people visited within the 48-hour continuous reading of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib ji (holy book).
Langar food and refreshments were served throughout, prepared by volunteers – these are meals that are free to all, regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity.
Kulwant Singh Hans, president, welcomed and hosted dignitaries along with Manjit Singh Maan, general secretary and other committee members.
All dignitaries joined in with the langar.
Dr Ravinder Singh Zandu also gave a presentation on Sikh religion and Sikhism.
“[The event] went very well – the gathering was much larger than expected,” he said. “People were very happy and it was a very good atmosphere.
“Young people enjoyed learning and we got good feedback from everyone.”
The celebration welcomed mayor Christina Bateson and MP Theresa May, as well as leader of the council Andrew Johnson and several other councillors.
Other 2023 Royal Borough election candidates also showed up, including Pat Macdonald (Lab), Derek Wilson (Con) and Seema Goyal (Con).
These guests spoke about the contribution of the Sikh community to society – to the
British armed forces, to the public and private sector and its followers’ extensive charity work.
It was ‘made clear’ to visitors that it was not a political event and there were ‘no political speeches’, said Ravinder.
Some concerns were raised by members of the wider Sikh community when pictures went around of Cllr Bateson and Mrs May sitting in an elevated position compared to others seated on the floor.
It was felt this goes against the Sikh belief in equality – but this was ‘taken out of context’,
said Ravinder.
The pair were offered chairs due to their ages and the length of time they would be required to sit during Vaisakhi celebrations – not because of their status as dignitaries.
Kulwant stressed that the two had been seated well below the level of the Guru Granth Sahib – which is an important aspect of Sikhism.
“It’s been blown out of proportion,” he said.
“Theresa [May] has been so good, she comes so often and sits on the floor. This was a courtesy because of age.”