‘One big community’: Toronto Sikhs to celebrate Vaisakhi together for the 1st time since pandemic

Gurpreet Singh has been in Canada since 2020, however Sunday would be the first time he’ll rejoice the annual Sikh competition of Vaisakhi with the local people.

The 22-year-old worldwide scholar got here right here from India through the first yr of the pandemic.

However on his first Vaisakhi away from his household, as an alternative of being a part of the standard crowds of hundreds in brilliant conventional clothes, he spent the day at dwelling, speaking to his relations in India and exchanging sweets with the few pals that he might meet. 

“I excitedly video known as my household again dwelling. Everybody was in stunning apparel … All the pieces appeared very thrilling,” he stated.

“I am lacking these occasions. I am so distant from household proper now, I am dwelling with my pals and so they’re my new household now,” stated Singh.

For the primary time in virtually three years, Toronto’s Sikh group will collect at Nathan Phillips Sq. to rejoice Vaisakhi, a spring harvest competition and a brand new yr celebration for folks of the Sikh religion. The occasion usually attracts crowds within the hundreds and often consists of parades the place folks march from the Canadian Nationwide Exhibition grounds to Toronto metropolis corridor. 

Tens of millions of Sikhs all over the world rejoice Vaisakhi, historically on April 14, particularly in India. However for a lot of immigrants dwelling in Canada, this will probably be their first time celebrating the vacation away from dwelling.

Earlier than coming to Canada, Singh and his household would rejoice Vaisakhi by travelling to Anandpur Sahib, a historic metropolis that’s extraordinarily necessary to the Sikh religion, positioned 200 kilometres away from his hometown of Tarn Tarn, Punjab.

Singh remembers celebrations there as spirited and energetic with massive gatherings wearing conventional apparel.

He is excited to rejoice his first Vaisakhi in Canada and hopes to have a memorable expertise this Sunday.

“I am anticipating an brisk setting. I need to really feel the power within the folks, which I’ve felt once I was again dwelling,” stated Singh.

Many different worldwide college students share the identical story, says Manjit Singh Parmar, secretary of the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council.

Parmar, who can also be the organizer of Sunday’s occasion, says he expects many worldwide college students to be there.

“This can catch the attention of them to return collectively and rejoice,” he stated. 

“It may be just a little bit completely different than how they rejoice again dwelling however they’re going to be right here among the many group they’re at present rising up in and attempting to be part of.”

Difficult 2 years for Sikh group

The previous two years have been difficult for the Sikh group with restricted entry to its temples, often known as gurdwaras, and the cancellation of annual occasions as a consequence of public well being measures. 

“So it was a tricky state of affairs, particularly for senior residents because it was a part of their every day routine to go to gurdwara on daily basis,” stated Parmar. 

Parmar added that the measures geared toward slowing the unfold of COVID-19 have been the accountable factor to do to maintain everybody secure at the moment, however now that they are being lifted, the group is attempting to convey some normalcy again this yr.  

This yr’s occasion won’t embody the standard parade, and celebrations will probably be restricted to the gathering at Nathan Phillips Sq.. 

“We’re not holding any occasion on the CNE, which trying on the present state of affairs of the pandemic is a sensible determination and a accountable factor to do.”

The occasion will happen at 11 a.m., beginning with prayers led by a Sikh priest, often known as a granthi, and non secular discussions, adopted by hymns from Guru Granth Sahib, the holy e book in Sikhism.

They can even be internet hosting langar seva, the Sikh custom of serving meals freed from cost to everybody.

Parmar stated Sikhism teaches the equality of all humankind, and he encourages folks from all backgrounds and religions to return out and rejoice.

“It is a day of coming collectively,” he stated.

“We’ll be showcasing our faith and folks will probably be bringing their greetings from their respective communities and all of us will probably be celebrating as one large group.”