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LEYTON: Flag raised at Sikh celebration
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| Women washing the flagpole with milk and water |
VAISAKHI, the most important festival in the Sikh calendar, was celebrated with two flag-raising ceremonies in Waltham Forest.
In the Punjab, the occasion - always in April - has marked the gathering of the harvest for many centuries.
It took on an extra dimension in 1699 when the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, chose the date to transform the Sikhs into a family of soldier saints, or the Khalsa Panth.
On that occasion, he appointed five men as the the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones), and to this day five men in colourful traditional costume attend the Vaisakhi to represent the group.
They were there on Saturday when the first flag was raised outside the Gurdwara (temple) in Francis Road, Leyton.
Drums and keyboard instruments were played, the flag was washed - according tradition - with a mixture or milk and water and the Panj Pyaras stood by the crowd joined to raise the flagpole topped with the orange banner.
Later a similar flag, again attended by the Beloved Ones, was raised on the flagpole outside the town hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow.
Other celebrations for Vaisakhi, which was actually held officially earlier in the week, include processions carrying the Sikh holy book, known as the Guru Grath Sahib, dancing and singing.
3:50pm Monday 21st April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Cyril, Walthamstow on 6:38pm Tue 22 Apr 08
And people have the cheek to complain about the St George's day celebrations?
And people have the cheek to complain about the St George's day celebrations?
Posted by: George, Leyton on 6:39pm Tue 22 Apr 08
John Walsh will be slowly rotating in his grave.
John Walsh will be slowly rotating in his grave.
Posted by: Dee, london on 8:51pm Tue 22 Apr 08
GROW UP
Posted by: FG, uk on 9:18am Wed 23 Apr 08
Its not Sikhs who complain about St Georges Day. The St Georges Day parade which was cancelled in Bradford was initiated by a Sikh police officer and supported by the Sikh MP.
There is a group who find the Cross of St George, any cross come to that abhorrant, but it isn't Sikhs and it isn't Hindus.....
Its not Sikhs who complain about St Georges Day. The St Georges Day parade which was cancelled in Bradford was initiated by a Sikh police officer and supported by the Sikh MP.
There is a group who find the Cross of St George, any cross come to that abhorrant, but it isn't Sikhs and it isn't Hindus.....
Posted by: Brian, E15 on 9:31am Wed 23 Apr 08
On the whole, it isn't muslims, hindus, sikhs or most other minority groups who bleat on about St George's Day being offensive - it's usually white, British, socialist militant left wing do-gooders, who to be honest offend minority groups my making (ridiculous) decisions on their behalf.
On the whole, it isn't muslims, hindus, sikhs or most other minority groups who bleat on about St George's Day being offensive - it's usually white, British, socialist militant left wing do-gooders, who to be honest offend minority groups my making (ridiculous) decisions on their behalf.
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