The Nagar Kirtan is a procession led by the Panj Pyare (Beloved Ones) who escort Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji through the Nagar (town) reciting Kirtan (devotional hymns). The Sangat (congregation) follows in the steps of the Guru, as a reminder that we also spiritually follow in the steps and teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs.
We encourage everyone who wants to attend the Nagar Kirtan to take transit. Below is a list of bus routes that will be free of charge.
The main stage and vendor tents will run from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Join us to Celebrate Vaisakhi – the Birth of the Khalsa on Saturday, May 11.
The word Khalsa is derived from the Arabic word Khalis – which means pure, inside, and out.
The first nine Gurus taught Sikhs to be pure from the inside by renouncing rituals, superstitions, the caste system, and gender inequality. Instead, the Gurus taught us to how our minds can connect to the divinity that is within us all.
On April 13th, 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji the tenth Guru initiated the first Amrit Sanchar (Baptism ceremony), to make Sikhs pure from the outside. The ceremony allows devoted members to formalize their pledge to the Guru and accept a distinct and recognizable physical identity as their promise to both internal and external purity.
The first five Sikhs administered Amrit (Ambrosial nectar) were referred to as the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved ones). In his humility, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji then requested The Panj Pyare to baptize him into the Khalsa.In 1708, the tenth Guru anointed Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - the ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs.And ever since that auspicious day, the celebration of Vaisakhi is a celebration of the birth of the Khalsa, their devotion to the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the path of purity.
The Nagar Kirtan is a procession led by the Panj Pyare (Beloved Ones) who escort Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji through the Nagar (town) reciting Kirtan (devotional hymns). The Sangat (congregation) follows in the steps of the Guru, as a reminder that we also spiritually follow in the steps and teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs.
