Vaisakhi | American Turban

"A blindfolded martial arts master splits a coconut on the head of his colleague without touching his head, an action so fast he had the club raised again before the coconut fell." (source: Jessica Skropanic | Record Searchlight)

Picture of the Day: Vaisakhi celebrations in Redding, California

May 6, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

As many Sikh communities across the United States have done in the past month, the Sikh community near Redding, California, held their annual Vaisakhi celebration in that city. The Vaisakhi Festival and Day of Non-Violence involved participation by the area’s diverse communities. See more photos and video at the Record Searchlight and read more at the Anderson Valley Post.

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Anderson, Baisakhi, California, Day of Non-Violence, Redding, Vaisakhi

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"Thousands walk in Renton’s Khalsa Day parade. Sikh men, and some women, wear turbans as one of five external articles of faith called the five Kakars. Women also wear long headscarves called dupattas at religious ceremonies to show respect." (source: Erika Schultz)

Nagar Kirtans to be held in CA and WA this weekend

May 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Tomorrow, two Nagar Kirtans (religious processions) will be taking place in Redding, California, and in Renton, Washington, to commemorate Vaisakhi, one of the most significant dates on the Sikh calendar. In Renton, exhibits featuring historic Sikh artifacts will also be available for viewing: The Sikh Military Heritage Exhibit The Sacred Words: An Exhibit of the Sikh Written Word The Sikh Community: Over a Hundred Years in the Pacific Northwest Officially on April 14, Vaisakhi celebrations have been taking place across […]

Categories: Events • Tags: "Washington, Anderson, Baisakhi, California, Nagar Kirtan, Redding, Renton, Vaisakhi

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26th Annual New York Sikh Parade, April 27, 2013. (source: unp.me)

Vaisakhi 2013 festivities continue in states of NY, MI, and WA

April 30, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Well into the month of April, Sikhs across the country are continuing to celebrate Vaisakhi, one of the most significant dates on the Sikh calendar. This weekend saw Vaisakhi festivities take place on the east coast, mid-west and west coast. Last Saturday, thousands of Sikhs assembled in New York City for their 26th annual Sikh Day Parade: The Sikh community brought color and culture to Manhattan’s Madison Square Park on Saturday. Parade-goers marched under brilliant sunshine to celebrate Vaisakhi Day, […]

Categories: Events, Sikhism • Tags: "Washington, Baisakhi, Bellingham, Khalsa Day, Lansing, Lynden, Madison Square, Manhattan, Michigan, New York, Sikh Day, Vaisakhi

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"A view of the Nagar Kirtan (Khalsa Parade) at the Inauguration of Gurdwara Nishkam Seva, Irving, Texas, April 13, 2013." (source: SikhNet)

Picture of the Day II: A new Gurdwara in Texas for Vaisakhi

April 22, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Almost ten days ago, Sikhs in the Dallas, Texas, area celebrated Vaisakhi with the opening of their new Gurdwara in Irving on April 13, when the state recognized “Khalsa Day”. Read more at SikhNet, or at the Gurdwara Nishkam Seva website.

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day • Tags: Baisakhi, Dallas, Gurdwara Nishkam Seva, Irving, Texas, Vaisakhi

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Five young Sikhs representing the first five initiated members of the Khalsa in 1699, sing during Vaisakhi celebrations at the Sikh Temple of Utah yesterday. (source: Deseret News)

Picture of the Day: Sikhs in Utah celebrate Vaisakhi

April 22, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Yesterday, the Sikh community in Salt Lake City, Utah, celebrated Vaisakhi (one of the most significant celebrations on the Sikh calendar) at the Sikh Temple of Utah: “It was very touching thing for me. When I was his age, we were too busy struggling to survive (in India),” [Pritpal] Tib said. “Here in America, we have enough funds and we have enough time to do that for our son so he can take part in the religion.” Read more at […]

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: "Washington, Bothell, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Utah, Vaisakhi

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Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple in Jackson, Mississippi. (source: Google)

Celebrating Vaisakhi in Jackson, Mississippi

April 19, 2013 by American Turban Guest Contributor

Alex DiBlasi and Alexa Altman are a pair of writers who left their lives in NYC to go on a cross-country adventure to “see what it’s all about.” A friend and colleague, Alex is also a committed civil rights advocate with the Sikh Coalition. During their travels, Alex and Alexa recently visited the Gurdwara in Jackson, Mississippi, to join the local Sikh community in their commemoration of Vaisakhi (one of the most significant celebrations on the Sikh calendar). Below, Alex […]

Categories: Events, Profiles, Reflections • Tags: Alex DiBlasi, Alexa Altman, Baisakhi, Jackson, Mississippi, Sikh Coalition, Vaisakhi

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"A flag waves in the wind atop a flagpole wrapped in orange material outside the Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, in celebration of Vaisakhi" (source: Michael Mancuso/The Times of Trenton)

Vaisakhi celebrations continue across the United States

April 16, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Vaisakhi celebration at the Sikh Center of Pacific Coast Gurdwara in Selma, California, which brought together a large gathering of Sikhs from the Fresno County area for a Nagar Kirtan (religious procession). It was very well attended and the atmosphere was quite festive. A local television station covered the celebrations in Selma, which you can watch here. I certainly enjoyed my first visit to this Gurdwara and celebrating with them the […]

Categories: Events, Sikhism • Tags: Albany, Bothell, California, Dallas, Lawrenceville, Los Angeles, Nagar Kirtan, New Jersey, Niskayuna, Niskayuna Gurdwara Sahib, Seattle, Selma, Sikh Center of Pacific Coast, Sikh Center of Seattle, Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, Southern Methodist University, Stockton, Texas, Vaisakhi

The Panj Pyare, or Five Beloved Ones, lead the Nagar Kirtan in Los Angeles, California on April 7, 2013. (source: SikhNet)

Picture of the Day: Leading the Los Angeles Nagar Kirtan

April 12, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

On April 14, Sikhs across the United States and around the world are celebrating Vaisakhi (or Baisakhi), which is the most significant celebration on the Sikh calendar. In many cities, this celebration includes a Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) through the city, and these are taking place across the country this month. In Los Angeles, California, Vaisakhi was celebrated on April 7 with a large Nagar Kirtan originating at the Los Angeles Convention Center (pictured above). Similar celebrations are also taking […]

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Baisakhi, California, Los Angeles, Nagar Kirtan, New York, Panj Pyare, Selma, Stockton, Vaisakhi

Picture of the Day: Nagar Kirtan near Seattle, WA

May 13, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Thousands of Sikhs in the Seattle, Washington area celebrated Vaisakhi with a Nagar Kirtan last weekend. While traditionally celebrated in mid-April, the Sikhs in the Pacific Northwest obviously did not want to miss their chance. See more photos at the Seattle Times.

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day • Tags: "Washington, Nagar Kirtan, Renton, Seattle, Vaisakhi