Colourful parade to mark birthday of first Sikh guru

A key date in the Sikh calendar will be celebrated in Peterborough city centre.

Saturday (November 2) marks the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and a special event is being organised by Peterborough’s two Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship).

The celebrations will begin with a special procession, starting from the Gurdwara in Royce Road at 9am and finishing in Cathedral Square at 11.15am, with an estimated 500 people set to take part.

The procession will pass through Newark Road, Boongate, Fengate, Bishops Road, Vineyard Road, St John’s Street, New Road, Northminster, Broadway, and Long Causeway.

A rolling system of road closures will be in place for the procession, as it passes along the route. Side streets will be closed temporarily to allow the parade to pass and then re-opened shortly thereafter, rather than static closures for a significant duration.

On arrival at Cathedral Square, participants will join colleagues at a staged area for a day of colourful performances.

Firstly, a number of guest speakers from a range of faiths and backgrounds will address crowds. Later on there will be hymns, prayers, martial arts demonstrations and dhol drumming to entertain the crowds.

Councillor Steve Allen, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for recreation, said: “We hope to see many people come along and join in the celebrations at what promises to be funfilled day which everyone can enjoy.”