Click the image above to view slideshowTauranga's Sikh community is marking the birth of their religious leader with prayer and costume and a parade down the avenues today.
Last year, about 2500 people turned out for Tauranga's inaugural Sikh parade, hosted by the Tauranga Sikh temple, Gurudawra Sikh Sangat Tauranga.
People from Tauranga's Sikh community are dressed in traditional Indian outfits for today's celebrations. Photos: Chris Callinan.
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.
This is only the second time the event has been held in 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.
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 is expected during today's celebrations.
The parade starts in Burrows St and makes its way round the avenues. For the event, Burrow St is closed to traffic from 10am-1pm.
3 comments
Very Pleasing
Posted on 03-01-2015 15:30 | By Jitter
to see another colourful culture celebrating the birth of their religious leader in Tauranga. This should prove to those who insist NZ is bicultural that in fact it is definitely multicultural and that there are very strong alternative cultures here. It is time that NZers realised that although multicultural we are one nation so some of us should stop demanding rights and priveleges over everyone else.
cecelia9
Posted on 03-01-2015 16:50 | By whisky85
I agree with Jitter. Lovely colourful parade. Huge turnout demonstrating another culture in Tauranga. Very welcome.
Thanks for sharing...
Posted on 03-01-2015 18:33 | By TraceyWallace
What a lovely, lovely day... centre of the parade was a trailer stocked full of unlimited supply of apples, bananas and all sorts of drinks (fruits, milks, fizzys and water). Young folk spent the entire time charging around with boxes and buckets loaded chock full of these 'gifts'... giving to everyone they could 'fruit and drink gifts' again and again and again... was absolutely spectacular. People coming out of their houses amazed and delighted with it all. Boys with rubbish bags took care to collect every 'scrap of rubbish' not a speck of rubbish was missed. A lovely Indian Kai was shared at the end. Elders soon ushered pakeha visitors to share in the feast... A huge well done to all and Thanks for sharing with us.
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