A photo from a past Nagar Kirtan that took place in Prince George

By Tommy Osborne

Vaisakhi

Annual Nagar Kirtan celebration set to return to Prince George

May 11, 2024 | 6:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The annual Nagar Kirtan is returning next Saturday (May 18), and the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society is inviting the entire community to take part in the celebration of Sikh faith and identity.

“It’s such a beautiful energy altogether, such a spiritual experience. And everybody that’s joining, it’s open to all community members, our neighboring communities are invited. During this procession usually people don’t even talk, we’re just singing the beautiful hymns,” said Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society Volunteer Rashpal Bains.

Bains explained the Nagar Kirtan is part of the larger celebration of Vaisakhi, which is also known as Birth of Khalsa. She says this historical celebration began in 1699 when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who gave the Birth of Khalsa order. Bains explains Vaisakhi is similar to a Thanksgiving event, as it is a Spring Harvest celebration. Nagar Kirtan specifically refers to the march that takes place, where a Guru leads a holy procession while a Kirtan, or hymn, is sung.

“We will be starting the Nagar Kirtan from the Gurdwara (4298 Davis Road). And in the beginning of this session there will be prayers from First Nations groups, and then we’ll also have a display of our special Sikh martial art called Gathka,” Bains says.

The procession from the Gurdwara will begin at 10:00 a.m., and is expected to arrive at the CN Centre by 12:00 p.m., where there will be a large celebration with food stalls, displays of Gathka, and more. At 2:00 p.m., the procession will return to the Gurdwara.

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“I wanted to make a humble and sincere request to everyone that is joining the Nagar Kirtan: please cover your heads and also if anyone is joining walking with us, please stay behind the main float where we have a Guru Granth Sahib,” Bains said.

It’s asked that you cover your head with a scarf, bandana, or turban, and if you don’t own one the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Society will be able to provide you with one.

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