Thousands join parade through Leicester to mark Sikh festival
Thousands of people marched through the centre of Leicester on Sunday to mark the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi.About 10,000 people were thought to have visited for the three-hour Nagar Kirtan procession from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, on Holy Bones, through the centre of the city and back.Vaisakhi, celebrated earlier in the month, marks the founding of the Sikh community, known as Khalsa, in 1699.Flowers, flags and food play key parts in marking the community celebration.
Gurdwara congregation member Sukhjeet Singh said: "It's a chance for the whole of Leicester congregation to get together and show unity and love, give our flowers and our devotion together."He added: "It's also a chance for the wider community to participate, they're seeing what our religion is about and why we celebrate it."And the food and the festive spirit, it just spreads throughout the whole of Leicester."
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Thousands join parade through Leicester to mark Sikh festival
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Road closures will be in place across Leicester as thousands of Sikhs mark Vaisakhi on 10,000 people are set to take part in the Nagar Kirtan procession, which will start at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, on Holy Bones, at 11:30 celebrated earlier in the month, marks the founding of the Sikh community, known as Khalsa, in City Council said rolling road closures would be in place along the procession route and St Nicholas Circle would shut for about three hours. The procession will pass through Vaughan Way Slip Road, St Nicholas Circle, Southgates, Friar Lane, Berridge Street, Millstone Lane, Bowling Green Street, Bishop Street, part of Granby Street, Gallowtree and High Street before returning to Holy diversions will be in place and Southgates underpass will remain open to traffic, the council operators will also make "any necessary adjustments" as the procession passes along the route, the authority added.
