Celebrating the Sikh way of life

The Te Puke Sikh community, including Tarsem Singh, Shingara Singh, Manohar Singh, Lehmber Singh, Daljit Singh and Jaswant Singh Josh, is looking forward to this weekend’s first Sikh parade in Te Puke. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Hard work, and the leading of a peaceful life alongside others, regardless of caste and colour, are among the fundamental beliefs of Sikhism.

These beliefs and more will be shared by the Te Puke Sikh community this Saturday (October 20) during their first-ever parade to be held in the town.

Around 800 Sikhs from throughout the North Island are expected to attend the parade, which leaves from the Gurudwara temple on No 3 Road at 11am before making its way along Jellicoe Street to Jubilee Park.

Traditional music and a display of kirpan (the sword or small dagger carried by Sikhs) will be on show for the public before the parade loops back around to the temple for a shared meal.

The parade will be similar to the one the Tauranga Sikh community enjoys each January, with participants wearing colourful traditional dress.

Blue and orange will feature prominently in the parade, with blue representing the colour of the warrior and of protection, and orange the colour of wisdom.

Spokesperson Lehmber Singh says the Te Puke Sikh community is 'very excited” to be having its own parade.

'It's a good chance for the community to see how Sikh people live, who we are and what we stand for,” says Lehmber. 'Everyone is welcome to attend.”

The parade is a celebration of the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which contains the words and verses spoken by the Sikh Gurus.

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