[Photograph of a group of individuals at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar in Surrey]

Photograph of a group of unidentified individuals at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar in Surrey, British Columbia (B.C.). Individuals had gathered at the gurdwara (sikh temple) for the Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan. An unidentified individual can be seen carrying the Guru Granth Sahib on his head as he enters the gurdwara (sikh temple).

The Guru Granth Sahib is the authoritative religious sacred text for Sikhs. It contains 3,000 hymns in various languages, with authors from multiple religious traditions. These hymns are sung during worship services held at the gurdwara, where the Guru Granth Sahib resides. The Guru Granth Sahib is itself considered the living Sikh guru, the final central authority over the Sikh community.

Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, located in Surrey, B.C., was formed in 1998 to help combat the growing issues affecting the Sikh community both locally and globally. Since its formation, the Gurdwara Sahib has continuously held programs to benefit and promote the Sikh way of life.

Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals in Sikhi, marking the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is a time of renewal, gratitude, and unity, celebrated with processions, prayers, and acts of service. Beyond its significance in Sikh history, Vaisakhi is also a harvest festival in Punjab, observed with joy and thanksgiving. Additionally, Vaisakhi holds special significance for Hindus, as it marks the beginning of the solar new year and is celebrated in various regions of India under different names, such as Pohela Boishakh in Bengal and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu.