Thousands of people gathered in Vancouver for the city's annual Vaisakhi Parade, one of the largest Sikh celebrations outside of India. The event, held each spring, draws participants and spectators from across British Columbia and beyond to mark one of the most significant dates in the Sikh calendar.
Vaisakhi commemorates the founding of the Khalsa — the collective body of initiated Sikhs — by Guru Gobind Singh on April 13, 1699, in Anandpur Sahib, in present-day Punjab, India. The occasion is considered a cornerstone of Sikh identity and faith, and is celebrated by Sikhs around the world each April.
Vancouver's Vaisakhi Parade is traditionally organized by local Gurdwaras and Sikh community organizations, featuring colourful processions, traditional music, and the distribution of langar (free community food). The event reflects the deep roots of the Sikh community in the Lower Mainland, which is home to one of the largest Sikh populations in Canada.
Canada is home to a significant Sikh diaspora, with British Columbia — particularly the Surrey and Vancouver areas — hosting a large concentration of Sikh Canadians. Vaisakhi celebrations in the region are among the largest in the world outside of India, drawing people of all backgrounds to participate in the festivities.
