YUBA CITY, CA: November 1, 2009 - Sikhs came out in their tens of thousands for the annual Sikh Parade on the first Sunday of November in a celebration that has become a major feature in the region's cultural and religious life and an occasion for celebration of devotion, love, and above all, celebrating Khalsa traditions and American diversity.
The celebrations bring thousands of people together from all over California and even from far off places like British Columbia, East coast, and even India.
As the Parade under the aegis of the holy bir of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and led by the Five Beloved Ones of the Guru attracted mammoth crowds, a major attraction were the several fly overs which dropped rose petals on crowds of worshippers.
The three-day 30th annual Sikh Festival was widely understood and termed a huge success.
Native Americans hailed the egalitarian tradition of Langar where the whole community is invited to share meals at the Sikh gurdwara without any discrimination on any basis.
One estimate said some 250,000 plates were served during the event.
Many Sikh teenagers used the event to introduce their White and Black American friends to the Sikh culture that is so much about caring for the fellow human beings and all about giving.
Organizers said the pilgrimage couldn't have come at a better time. It's expected to generate $20 to $30 million dollars into the local economy.
One media report quoted the organizers as saying that with so many people in one location this year, they have decided to also make the Sikh festival a food drive for the Sacramento Food Bank.
The event was one wonderful huge food partaking occasion too where langars dotted the place all over and glasses of mango shake, lassi, sugarcane juice, soft drinks were being passed around all the time, all for free, and with Satnam-Waheguru as the regular chant. Hymns of Gurbani wafted in the air as the spirit of religiosity took over one and all. Union City's Amarjit Singh Sarkaria and Jathedar Gurdev Singh Dhillon said they felt spiritually enriched during the ceremonies.
Organizers reeled out the amount of ingredients they have ended up using. One langar worker said some 40 bags of maize floor, 500 lb of rice, 3 huge drums of karhi, three huge vessels of saag were used at one langar alone. Sewadars from Raja Sweets were out with their full team under the guidance of Giani Ravinder Singh. many families had come together to put up their own langar. Bibi Sukhi Bains said some 20 members of her extended family were performing sewa. She said the occasion gives a perfect opportunity to the families to rejoice in the happiness of the community and re-connect to the word and teachings of the Gurus.
For the Sikh Youth of America, this was the 11th langar.
Prominent community members S. Manjit Singh Dhillon, Raghuvir Singh Sangha, Amarjit Singh Thandi and others said some 70,000 members of the sangat partook of the langar where they were serving.
Sikh Youth of America's senior member and international kabaddi player S. Kuldip Singh Sahota, Sham Pal ji, Manjit Singh, Satnam Singh, Harjap Singh and Hardayal Singh said the idea of sangat and pangat were the keystones for Sikhism.
The Sikh Parade in Yuba City showcased the robust values of the community with its message of universal welfare, the Sikhs' peaceful and serviceful nature along with their determination to stand up against any tyrant and the community's ability to adapt to all environments. It also underlines the strength of American diversity.
