Grand Baisakhi Celebration Set for April 5 in LA

According to India West "Southern California’s annual Baisakhi celebration will be held on April 5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Every spring, the Sikh community in Southern California comes together in ‘Chardi Kala’ – high spirits – to celebrate the birth of the Khalsa during the annual Baisakhi celebration, a personal reminder of their individual commitment to what it means to be Khalsa – humans of high consciousness and purity of heart, humans dedicated to serving humanity and raising the vibration of the planet.

The annual Baiskahi Keertan Darbar and Nagar Keertan event this year will take place on April 5, from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa Street in Los Angeles.

Starting months in advance, as many as 20 gurdwaras in Southern California began their planning for this year’s Baisakhi celebration.

The Sikh Dharma Community of Southern California has been hosting the Baisakhi celebration since the mid-80s and it has now become perhaps the largest Baisakhi event in the United States.

There will be the Amrit Vela at the Guru Ram Das Ashram for powerful chanting, and then, the Guru will be driven in a grand procession to the Convention Center. Once the motorcade arrives at the Convention Center, the Guru will be installed.

Breakfast langar will be served, and there will be inspiring children’s Ragi Jathas chants, a bazaar, main Ragi Jathas from many different gurdwaras will play, and a children’s room will be set up as honored guests and dignitaries speak and langar is served.

Mid-afternoon, the Guru will be escorted on an elegant float for a vibrant parade through downtown Los Angeles featuring Ragis chanting, young people playing gatka (martial art) and thousands of Sikhs walking, praying, and singing the Guru’s praises."