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Souther California keeps its date
with Vaisakhi
WSN Network
LOS ANGELES: More than 15,000 Sikhs from
Southern California
celebrated the 310th anniversary of the foundation of Khalsa in 1699
at the Los Angeles Convention Center last Sunday. This event
coincided with the Easter and Passover holidays. The program
included Kirtan, with performances from Kirtan groups from many
southern California Sikh Gurdwaras , as well as various children's
Kirtan groups. A colorful parade from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. through the
heart of downtown Los Angeles was the high light of the day's
events.
These festivities have been celebrated annually in
Southern California
for over 25 years and the Nagar Kirtan has been coordinated by the
Southern California Gurdwaras for the last eleven years.
Officials from all levels of government, city, state and
nationwide, attended this year's Vaisakhi celebrations. Among them
were Los
Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; California State Board of
Equalization Chair Judy Chu; California State Senator Mark
Ridley-Thomas, California State Assembly Member Mike Eng and U.S.
Congressman Brad Sherman.
One of the featured Kirtan musicians this year was Bhai
Nirmal Singh Ji Khalsa, distinguished recipient of the Padma Shri
Award.
In the Nagar Kirtan this year were floats from many gurdwaras.
Special designs were created in collaboration with Joginder Singh
Siddu in which the floats highlight special Sikh themes, lifestyles
and values. This year's parade route started from the
Los Angeles
Convention Center - North on Figueroa, East on 11th, North on
Grand Avenue, West
on 7th Street, South on Flower, West on 11th Street, South on
Figueroa - to end back at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Refreshments and treats were served all along the parade route.
15
April 2009
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