YUBA CITY, CA - For the 29th straight year, Yuba City's Sikh community will welcome Sikhs from all over the world to celebrate one of the holiest days on the Sikh calendar. The three-day event runs from October 31st through November 2nd and commemorates the receipt by Sikhs of the Guru Granth Sahib in 1708 as a perpetual spiritual guide that directs the Sikh faith.
"It is said that Guru Gobind Singh instructed his Sikhs to search for him within the Sacred Writings contained there, and to find enlightenment by meditating upon them", said Kuldip Singh Atwal, Sikh Temple Secretary.
For many Sikhs, this isn't a normal parade for them. "This is a celebration of our religion, our culture, and gratitude towards all our guru's who lost their lives while believing and protecting our culture which is called Sikhism", said Didar Singh Bains, President, Sikh Temple. The spirit of Guru Nanak will be felt throughout the weekend, which is: work hard and earn an honest living, pray and share your earnings with your fellow beings.
On Friday morning, October 31st, the day will begin with the traditional start of 48 hours of continuous readings of the Guru Granth Sahib, Nishan Sahib Sewa and then Paath of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Friday evening ends with a spectacular display of fireworks at the Sikh Temple Yuba City expected to be attended by more than 25,000 people. "It's 30 minutes of non-stop fireworks", said Karm Bains, Sikh Temple Director. "These are five-inch canister fireworks that are usually only seen at the top fireworks shows in the country", added Bains.
On Saturday, an Open House is expected to be attended by California Lt. Governor John Garamendi. Attending last year as well, Lt. Governor Garamendi complimented and praised the Sikh community for outstanding contributions to the region. The Lt. Governor met with leaders of the Sikh Temple and walked the grounds.
When the 48 hours of prayer ends Sunday morning, the entire 1,430-page text of the Guru Granth Sahib will have been read aloud, and then carried onto a lavishly decorated float. After the bhog of the Akhand Path Sahib, the main float leaves the Sikh Gurdwara grounds, ushered down Butte House Road with a crew of volunteers continuously sweeping the street in front of its path.
Flower petals will rain down from a helicopter hovering above the ceremony and parade. Thousands of Sikhs will then walk alongside the floats. Along the parade route, Sikhs families who have set up food booths will provide free drinks, snacks and prepared food for the throng of visitors. The 4 and 1/2 mile parade is expected to draw a record crowd, more than 80,000 people, on this the 300th Anniversary of the Guru Granth Sahib.
More than 50 floats will be in the parade. Among the parade participants will be a fleet of Harley Davidson Motorcycle's from the Sikh Motorcycle Club in British Columbia, Canada. Floats are expected to be ornately decorated in themes that reflect the vibrant nature of Sikh Culture, Sikhism and of the Sikh way of life.
Inside the Sikh Temple Yuba City grounds, kirtan and langar stalls will be evident everywhere. The local community will display the Sikh core values in the symbolism that goes into the preparation and serving of nearly a quarter million free meals.
Sikhs will then begin arriving back at the Sikh Temple Monday morning at 4 a.m. to help clean up not only the Sikh Temple grounds but also along the parade route. The clean up usually takes less than one day to complete.
For more information please visit www.SikhParade.com