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19 colourful pictures of religious celebrations in Smethwick for Guru Nanak's birthday

It was a day for Sikhs from across the Black Country to come together and celebrate the birth of the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

By James Vukmirovic
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Thousands of people came from across the region to take part in the annual parade through the streets of Sandwell to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on Sunday.

There was colour, traditional clothing and music and a feeling of celebration in the air as people lined the route from the Guru Har Rai Gurdwara in West Bromwich, through Oldbury, and down Smethwick High Street to the final stop at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara.

Worshippers also made time to come to one of the six Gurdwaras on the route to pray and pay their respects at the Manji Sahib, with priests on stage performing a service throughout the day, as well as visit the Langar kitchens for food and drink.

There was also plenty of food and drink on offer along the route, all provided for free and served by volunteer members of the Sikh community.

The parade, which is known as a Nagar Kirtan, featured a range of traditional clothing, including ceremonial daggers, while the central scripture called the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book and eternal living Guru of the Sikhs, was carried and revered.

It also saw the Panj Pyare or "Five Beloved Ones," who represent the first five initiates into the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, leading the parade while walking barefoot and acting as symbolic figures chosen by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, to represent the Khalsa brotherhood.

We've picked out  photos of the Gurdwara, the crowds and the colour of the parade as it headed along Smethwick High Street in honour of Guru Nanak's 556th birthday:

A large number of Khalistan flags could be seen as part of the parade
A large number of Khalistan flags could be seen as part of the parade
Large vats of vegetarian curry was being provided at one of the stalls
Large vats of vegetarian curry was being provided at one of the stalls
The priests continued to provide a service throughout the day
The priests continued to provide a service throughout the day
Even the street cleaning lorries were dressed up
Even the street cleaning lorries were dressed up
Different food station were seen across the parade route, all provided for free
Different food station were seen across the parade route, all provided for free
Young members of the Sikh community were part of the parade
Young members of the Sikh community were part of the parade
Tradition clothing was a big feature of the event
Tradition clothing was a big feature of the event
Drums could be heard from the trucks leading the parade
Drums could be heard from the trucks leading the parade
There were plenty of bhangra drums being played
There were plenty of bhangra drums being played
Some of the people in the procession were demonstrating art displays
Some of the people in the procession were demonstrating art displays
The parade was a real mixture of colours
The parade was a real mixture of colours
Families waited on the side of the road to be part of the parade
Families waited on the side of the road to be part of the parade
There were plenty of colourful head coverings
There were plenty of colourful head coverings
Smethwick High Street was awash with people and colour
Smethwick High Street was awash with people and colour
It was a day for families to enjoy the festivities
It was a day for families to enjoy the festivities
People queued along the route to get food, with sweet and savoury on offer
People queued along the route to get food, with sweet and savoury on offer
The Guru Nanak Gurdwara was the final stop for the parade
The Guru Nanak Gurdwara was the final stop for the parade
The last food stall could be found just outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara
The last food stall could be found just outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara
The Manji Sahib at the front of the Darbar Sahib was a place for prayers and respect throughout the day
The Manji Sahib at the front of the Darbar Sahib was a place for prayers and respect throughout the day