April 21, 2011, LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Nearly 15,000 people filled the halls of the Convention Center and the surrounding streets of downtown Los Angeles April 17 to celebrate Baisakhi, one of Sikhism’s most auspicious holidays.
With an entire morning and early afternoon full of prayer, reflection and speeches by dignitaries, the Baisakhi 2011 celebrations came to a close with its traditional procession of colorful floats through downtown Los Angeles that highlighted Sikh culture and its various leaders.
In addition to converting the Center’s Concourse Hall into a gurdwara for the Kirtan Darbar, all those attending Baisakhi 2011 were treated to free vegetarian meals and drinks.
An annual celebration organized by the Sikh community of Southern California in collaboration with many local gurdwaras, the event was a culmination of a weekend-long series of festivals commemorating those Sikhs who choose to live the purest of lifestyles as mandated by the faith’s code of conduct.
Both the Kirtan Darbar and the royal Nagar Kirtan pay homage to the day in 1699 when Guru Gobi Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, established a society dedicated to the purity of spirit known as the Khalsa Panth.
Several key dignitaries speaking during the event’s Saropa ceremony included Congresswoman Judy Chu, California state Controller John Chiang, Assemblyman Mike Eng, Los Angeles Council member Jan Perry as well as representatives from the offices of Congressman Brad Sherman, Los Angeles Council member Paul Koretz and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Chu spoke about the need to respect the Sikh identity and not to wrongfully confuse them with terrorists or with any other ethnic or religious group.
“I come (to Baisakhi celebrations) because I admire what the Sikh American community has done for America,” Chu, who represents California’s 32nd district in Washington, D.C., said. “As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we must work even harder to reduce hysteria and stereotyping and fight harder for the (equal) treatment of all. I stand by your side willing to help you.”
In the most endearing of terms, Chiang expressed his condolences for the losses suffered by the Sikh American community when 78-year-old Gurmej Atwal and 68-year-old Surinder Singh were murdered March 4 in the Sacramento suburb of Elk Grove (see separate story:
http://www.sikhnet.com/news/steinberg-and-legislators-honor-sikh-victims-elk-grove-shooting
http://www.sikhnet.com/news/attack-sikh-men-triggers-outcry-elk-grove-calif-and-beyond)
“It is important we gather in our fellowship and our humanity to address these injustices. But the difficulties we experienced will be replaced by the beauty of the spirit. It is important, as we step forward, that we, not just with our eyes, but we look upon each other with our heart,” he said.
Despite a slight delay due to a Lakers playoff game at the neighboring Staples Center, thousands of people took part in the Nagar Kirtan procession through the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Each decorative float in the procession represented a unique theme in honor of a specific aspect of the Sikh faith, history and culture.
In addition to the prayer, food, formal program and parade, a bazaar-like atmosphere filled the foyer area outside the main concourse hall, complete with various vendors promoting services, selling art and other sundries or garnering community support for worthy causes.
Featured guests including Bhai Balwinder Singh Jetha, Hazoori Ragi, Darbar Sahib and a five Ragi Jatha presentation under the direction of Prof. Ranjit Singh of Bhai Mardana Academy.
Earlier in the day, a musical procession kicked off the Baisakhi 2011 festivities before 8 a.m., followed by a children’s program and other religious and cultural rites to commemorate Baisakhi.
Baisakhi 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center was strongly supported by the Guru Amar Das Ashram.