The colourful Sikh festival Vaisakhi took place in Hitchin on Saturday.
The vibrant procession left the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Temple in Wilbury Way around 1.30pm, threading its way around town – taking in Grove Road, Nightingale Road, Bancroft, Bridge Street, Queen Street, Market Place and Hermitage Road.
More than 700 Sikhs were part of the procession, with the event featuring martial arts displays and hymm singing, with free food being served and leaders of the Hitchin Sikh community in attendance.
Vaisakhi commemorates the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Khalsa is the name for the collective body of initiated Sikhs representing the living embodiment of the Guru.
One of the organisers, Gurdip Singh, said: “It was a really lovely day, a very special day. The atmosphere was fantastic.
“A big thank you to all the people who lined the route from Grove Road all the way to Market Place and back around Hermitage Road.
“There must have been more than 1,000 people, added to the 700 Sikhs who took part in the procession. It was a real community event.
“We also distributed free food. We made 3,000 samosas – and they were all eaten by a very hungry Hitchin!
“We’re happy to be part of such a great community.”
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