Tauranga's avenues will receive a gift of culture and colour tomorow January 3 as Tauranga's Sikh community marks the birth of their religious leader with prayer and costume.

The inaugural Sikh parade on Tauranga streets last January was a colourful affair.

In January 2014, about 2500 people turned out for Tauranga's inaugural Sikh parade, hosted by the Tauranga Sikh temple, Gurudawra Sikh Sangat Tauranga.

The street march parade is part of a traditional Indian ritual, which marks the birth of the religion's 10th leader, Guru Gobind Singh, says Gurudawra Sikh Sangat Tauranga spokesperson Puran Singh.

While the parade has been conducted several times in Auckland, this January's event is only the second such annual for Tauranga.

'We are absolutely rapt with the numbers. We are very appreciative of Tauranga City Council, the Government and the police for helping us out,” says Puran after the first parade.

Last time led by a truck carrying the Sikh scripture, the 2500-strong crowd followed on the two-hour procession chanting sikh prayers and hymns while dressed in traditional Indian garb.

January 3's parade starts in Burrows St and makes its way round the avenues. For the event, Burrow St is closed to traffic from 10am-1pm on January 3.