Colourful celebrations on streets as festival marks Sikh new year

Vaisakhi Festival, at Sikh Temple on Chapeltown Road, Leeds

Thousands of people united and paraded through the city’s streets to mark the new year in the Sikh calendar.

Men and boys donned bright orange and blue turbans as they gathered in the sunshine outside the Leeds Gurdwara Temple, in Chapeltown Road, on Saturday.

They were joined by hundreds of women who all wore an array of colourful headscarves as they paraded through the city as part of their annual celebration.

Vaisakhi dates back to 1699 and is a celebration of the Sikh new year, harvest in India and the birth of faith.

Leading the way from Chapeltown to Millennium Square was a decorated float containing the Sikh’s holy book – the Guru Granth Sahib.

A team of ‘sweepers’ closely followed who brushed the road clear of debris and dirt to allow the procession to walk barefooted, as dictated by tradition.

Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton said on social networking website, Twitter: “Happy Vaisakhi to all my Sikh constituents and friends throughout the UK.

“Congratulations of a great event in Millennium Square.”