It was a day for colour and culture across Walsall as thousands of worshippers came out to celebrate one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar.
Thousands of people took to the streets between three Gurdwaras in the town on Sunday to celebrate Vaisakhi, the annual harvest festival in the Sikh faith.
Vaisakhi was celebrated in the Punjab region of India as a harvest festival, but the event garnered a profound spiritual significance in the year 1699.
This was when the tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, chose to declare the founding of the Khalsa, which meant Vaisakhi has also been referred to as ‘Khalsa Sajna Diwas’ (the day of the Khalsa’s creation) within the community.
The parade in Walsall, which was organised between Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Walsall Caldmore), Nanak Sar Gurdwara and Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, saw traditional outfits, lots of colour, free food and drink and a mixture of traditional arts and crafts.
We’ve picked out some of the best photos from the day to show the colour, the culture and the flavours of Vaisakhi.
9. Everyone who attended was able to access free food and drink
Everyone who attended was able to access free food and drink | Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Walsall Caldmore)
10. Gatka was part of the festivities
Traditional martial arts called Gatka was part of the festivities | Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Walsall Caldmore)
11. It was a day to mix the modern and traditional parts of Sikh culture
It was a day to mix the modern and traditional parts of Sikh culture | Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Walsall Caldmore)
12. Horses were ridden as part of the parade
Horses were ridden as part of the parade | Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara (Walsall Caldmore)