Combatants spar in a demonstration during the Khalsa Day parade through the streets of Kent on Sunday. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Combatants spar in a demonstration during the Khalsa Day parade through the streets of Kent on Sunday. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Sikh community embraces Khalsa Day Celebration and Parade

The area’s large Sikh community converged in Kent on Sunday to celebrate the 10th annual Khalsa Day – a religious and colorful festival filled with music, prayer, food and demonstrations – at the ShoWare Center on a warm, sun-spangled Sunday.

Every spring millions of Sikhs worldwide celebrate Khalsa or Vaisakhi Day, marking the beginning of the harvest season and the Sikh new year. It is considered one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar. Vaisakhi is historically the festival of spring harvest in Punjab, India.

Washington has about 50,000 Sikhs residing in Kent and Renton.

The day culminated with the Nagar Kirtan, the parade, in which thousands of people proceeded through the streets of Kent, singing hymns from a sacred book of worship known as Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikhs’ most ultimate holy scripture.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent Police arrest man for reportedly raping two women

Man, 39, allegedly attacked women in his car; first case in October 2023, second case February 2024

t
Voters strongly defeating Kent School District levy

Nearly 60% against Capital Projects and Technology Levy on April 23 ballot

t
Kent Police pursue, arrest two 14-year-old boys for armed robbery

April 23 incident began at convenience store along West Meeker Street; ended on Military Road South

t
Man killed at Auburn’s Muckleshoot Casino in ‘random’ stabbing

Police: ‘There did not appear to be any altercation between the two prior to the incident.’

Speakers at the Valley Comm/Crisis Connections press conference on April 16. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Help is 3 numbers away: Crisis 911-988-211 services are now under one roof

“Through the Valley Comm 911/Crisis Connections partnership, we will help thousands more South King County community members get through what they’re going through.”

t
Kent Police chief believes new carjacking task force will reduce crime

Kent will play key role in efforts by U.S. Department of Justice to combat carjacking

t
Former Kent School District bus driver accused of raping student

Renton man, 39, reportedly sexually assaulted 11-year-old girl multiple times on bus

t
Kent Police investigate death of man found near railroad tracks

Found Sunday afternoon, April 21 in the 1000 block of First Avenue North

t
Asylum seekers, supporters ask Kent City Council for housing help

They want Econo Lodge on Central Avenue reopened; Kent, King County have no plans to do so

King County SWAT vehicle. Courtesy photo
Investigation concludes on SWAT team’s fatal shooting of suspect in Algona

A multi-agency team has finished investigating the King County SWAT’s shooting of… Continue reading

A screenshot of the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter view of the arrest of a Kent man after carjacking incidents Feb. 13 in Kent. COURTESY IMAGE, King County Sheriff’s Office
Kent Police to join new Western Washington Carjacking Task Force

U.S. Department of Justice announces Seattle, Kent police departments as partners to reduce crime

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla and his command staff will host a community meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Highline College. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
Kent Police set community meeting for May 9 at Highline College

Topics to include latest news, updates from Police Chief Rafael Padilla and his command staff