Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Illustrated

01
of 30

Welcome to the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Welcome Sign on the Yuba City Parade Route Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Illustrated Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan

The first weekend of November, Yuba City hosts an annual Guru Gadee, or Nagar Kirtan, inaugural parade. Over 100,000 Sikh devotees and onlookers attend. The event begins Saturday with assembling the floats for Sunday’s parade. Kirtan and worship services are held in the Yuba City gurdwara which serves langar throughout the weekend. Langar is paid for by donations and prepared by volunteers and is completely free of charge to everyone. Many local and visiting business or individual families also prepare and distribute langar in the streets during the procession. A float bearing the Guru Granth Sahib heads the procession preceded by the Panj Pyara, flag bearers and devotees sweeping the streets. Floats representing gurdwaras and Sikh sangat (fellowships) from all around California follow behind the Guru Granth Sahib. Many are filled with devotees singing hymns whose words are verses from Guru Granth Sahib. Youth groups and members of local school clubs carry banners in the parade.

More:
Ten Tips for Attending Nagar Kirtan

The Yuba City Sikh Parade is held annually the first weekend each November to celebrate Guru Gadee, the anniversary of the inauguration of Guru Granth Sahib.

Yuba City has been hosting an annual Guru Gadee Parade since 1979. Singhs carrying a welcome banner lead the parade. Sikhs come from all around California, the USA and Canada and other locations around the world. Local people and folks from around California come to observe the festivities. Some years more than 100,000 people attend, and each year the numbers grow. The parade runs for several miles through the streets of Yuba City. Yuba City police and community volunteers stand guard along roads intersecting the parade route which are closed to through traffic. The parade and is held rain or shine.

02
of 30

Devotees Sweep the Streets in the Yuba City Sikh Parade

Guru Gadee Street Sweepers
Street Sweepers Clean the Yuba City Parade Route Guru Gadee Street Sweepers. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Devotees at the head of the procession sweep the streets of the Yuba city annual Sikh parade route to prepare the way for the float bearing Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Gaddee is an annual holiday celebrated by Sikhs all over the world. Festivities in Yuba City take place in early November. Guru Gadee commemorates the inauguration of the Guru Granth Sahib as everlasting Guru of the Sikhs. In an act devotion, Sikhs walk in front of the float bearing the Guru Granth Sahib and sweep the streets with brooms along the entire annual Sikh parade route.

03
of 30

Panj Pyara Carry Nishan Sahib

Female Panj Pyara Carry Nishan, the Sikh Flag
Female Five Beloved Ones Carry the Sikh Flag Female Panj Pyara Carry Nishan, the Sikh Flag. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Panj Pyara walk at the head of the annual Sikh parade in Yuba City in front of the float bearing Guru Granth Sahib and carry the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag.

Five females representing the Panj Pyara or Five Beloved Ones, carry the Nishan Sahib, or Sikh flag. They walk just ahead of the float which bears Guru Granth Sahib in the Guru Gadee parade.

04
of 30

Panj Payra Holding Swords in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Panj Payra Holding Swords in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Five Beloved Ones Hold Swords and Walk Ahead of Guru Granth Sahib Panj Payra Holding Swords in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

The Panj Pyara hold swords and walk ahead of the float bearing the Guru Granth Sahib in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade commemorating the Guru's Inauguration.

The Panj Pyara holding swords are representatives of the original Five Beloved Ones who administered initiation rites in the first Sikh Baptism. They walk just ahead of the the float which carries the Guru Granth Sahib in the Guru Gadee Parade honoring the anniversary of the Guru's inauguration.

05
of 30

Float Carrys Guru Granth Sahib in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Guru Granth Sahib Float in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Yuba City Guru Gadee Float Bearing the Guru Granth Sahib Guru Granth Sahib Float in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Guru Granth Sahib is borne atop the foremost float in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade commemorating the Guru Gadee inauguration anniversary of the Guru Granth.

The float which carries the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's holy scripture, in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade is equipped with attendants and altar and canopy. The Guru Gadee parade commemorates the inauguration of the Guru Granth as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. The Guru Granth may never be replaced by a human being. No letter of it's scripture may ever be altered.

06
of 30

Rearview of Guru Gadee Float in Yuba City Sikh Parade

Rearview of the Guru Gadee Float Bearing the Guru Granth Sahib
Sikh Devotees Follow the Guru Gadee Float Rearview of the Guru Gadee Float Bearing the Guru Granth Sahib. Photo © Khalsa Panth

A throng of Sikh devotees surround and follow behind the Guru Gadee float bearing The Guru Granth Sahib in the Yuba City Sikh Parade.

The streets along the Yuba City Guru Gadee parade route are over flowing with Sikh devotees and onlookers. Sikhs walk closely behind the float bearing the Guru Granth Sahib.

07
of 30

Golden Temple Float in the Yuba City Sikh Parade

Yuba City Sikh Parade Golden Temple Float
Float Commemorating the Golden Temple in the Guru Gadee Parade Yuba City Sikh Parade Golden Temple Float. Photo © Khalsa Panth

A float depicting the Golden Temple in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade.

A replica representing the Golden Temple is borne on a trailer pulled by a truck along the parade route of the Yuba City Annual Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan. Commonly known as the Golden Temple, Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib located in Amritsar India is the central worship place of Sikhs.

08
of 30

Float Depicting Marble Shrine in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Yuba City Sikh Parade Float With White Temple
Replica of Marble Shrine in Yuba City Annual Guru Gadee Parade Yuba City Sikh Parade Float With White Temple. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Devotees ride beside a float depicting a marble shrine in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

A truck pulls a float with a replica of a marble shrine along the parade route of the Yuba City annual Guru Gadee parade. Many of India's and Pakistan's historic Sikh gurdwaras and shrines are constructed of white marble.

09
of 30

Float Depicting Guru Gobind Singh's Martyred Sons in Yuba City Sikh Parade

Yuba City Sikh Parade Sahibzadia Float Portraying Martyred Sons of Guru Gobind Singh
Float Representing Shaheed Sahibzadia in the Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Yuba City Sikh Parade Sahibzadia Float Portraying Martyred Sons of Guru Gobind Singh. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Devotees ride on a float depicting the martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh and a marble shrine in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

Sikh worshipers ride on a float protraying the sahibzadia or the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh, who were martyred by being bricked alive by the Mughal rulers. The float which also has a replica of a marble shrine is pulled along the parade route the Yuba City annual Sikh parade commemorating Guru Gadee, the inauguration anniversary of Sikhism's sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, as everlasting Guru of the Sikhs.

10
of 30

Message of Equality on a Float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Message of Equality on a Yuba City Float
Float in the Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Displays a Message of Equality Message of Equality on a Yuba City Float. Photo © Dharam Kaur Khalsa

A message on the side of a float in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade displays a message of equality to onlookers.

Equality of all human beings is a central belief in Sikhism. Sikhs worship the creator and all of creation as one. Service of humanity is a Sikh ideal in the message of equality displayed on the side of the float. The Yuba City annual Sikh parade commemorates Guru Gadee, the anniversary of the inauguration of Sikhism's sacred scripture the Guru Granth Sahib as everlasting Guru of the Sikhs.

11
of 30

Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Converts to Sikhism Float

Converts to Sikhism Float in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Float Representing Sikh Converts in the Yuba City Guru Gadee Parade Converts to Sikhism Float in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Converts to Sikhism prepare a float each year for the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

Sikhism began in the Punjab region of Northern India and what is today part of Pakistan. Sikhs first immigrated to the United States in 1897. Westerners began to convert to Sikhism in the late 60's and early 70's. Many Sikhs in the sangat (fellowship) represented by this float had their introduction to Sikhism from the late Yogi Bhajan.

12
of 30

Sikh Worshipers Sing Hymns on a Float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Ragis Perform Kirtan on a Float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Ragis Perform Kirtan on a Float in the Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Ragis Perform Kirtan on a Float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Sikhk ragis perform kirtan singing hymns of praise while standing on a float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade.

Nagar Kirtan translates to mean divine hymns sung while parading through town. Ragis are professional performers of kirtan, hymns of praise whose words are taken from verses written in Sikhism's sacred scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gadee is a holiday commemorating the anniversary of the inauguration of Sikh scriptures as Guru Granth Sahib, the everlasting Guru of Sikhs.

13
of 30

Decorated Truck Pulling Float in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Decorated Truck Pulling Float in Yuba City Sikh Parade
Sikh Truckers Pull Floats in Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Decorated Truck Pulling Float in Yuba City Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Trucks pull many of the floats used in the Guru Gadee procession of the Nagar Kirtan.

Semi Trucks are vital to the Yuba City annual Sikh parade. Trucks are decorated and driven by Sikh truckers and used for pulling many of the floats along the Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan parade route.

14
of 30

Tractor Pulling Float in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Stroller Alongside Tractor Trolley Pulling Float in Yuba City Sikh Parade
Float Pulled by Tractor in the Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Stroller Alongside Tractor Trolley Pulling Float in Yuba City Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Tractors pulling floats along the parade route are a common sight in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade.

Yuba city is a farming community. Local Sikhs involved in the farming industry participate in the annual Guru Gadee parade and use their tractors to pull floats along the parade route.

15
of 30

Devotees Ride on a Float in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Yuba City Float Filled With Sikh Devotees
Float Bearing Sikh Worshipers in the Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Yuba City Float Filled With Sikh Devotees. Photo © Khalsa Panth

A float filled With Sikh Devotees makes it's way along the Yuba City annual Sikh parade route.

Sikh devotees ride in one of many floats participating in the Yuba City parade route. The parade last for several hours and the route is several miles long. Floats usually represent a particular gurdwara or sangat (fellowship) however, anyone is welcome to climb aboard or disembark at any time from any float in the Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan.

16
of 30

Tent With Free Food and Beverages Alongside the Yuba City Sikh Parade Route

Yuba City Sikh Parade Langar Tent and Diners
Sikh Devotees and Onlookers Alike are Welcome to Partake of Langar Yuba City Sikh Parade Langar Tent and Diners. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Langar is served from a tent throughout the day alongside the Yuba City annual Sikh parade route. Everyone is welcome to sample tasty snacks.

In keeping with the Sikh tradition of langar, Indian style food is prepared and distributed free of charge to everyone. While awaiting the Yuba City Annual Sikh parade, bystanders flock to a tent set up alongside the road where langar is being served by volunteers. Langer may be provided by families or local business including restaurants or convenience stores. Used disposable plates, cups, and spoons are collected in simple waste receptacles.

17
of 30

A Roadside Table Offers Langar at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Langar Service Along Yuba City Parade Route
Langar is Offered at a Roadside Table Laden With Free Food and Beverages Langar Service Along Yuba City Parade Route. Photo © Khalsa Panth

A roadside table laden with langar offers of free food and beverages along the Yuba City annual Parade Route.

In the spirit of the tradition of langar, families prepare and serve langar to the thousands of people attending the Yuba City annual Sikh parade. Offers of free food and beverages are common all along the Guru Gadee parade route.

18
of 30

Sikh Woman Offers Free Snacks During the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Woman Distributing Langar in Yuba City Sikh Parade
Sikh Womans Smile and Offers Langar in the Streets During Guru Gadee Parade Woman Distributing Langar in Yuba City Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

A Sikh woman holds a tray offering of free tasty snacks along the Yuba City annual parade route.

The offering of langar in the form of free fried foods is a welcome site for visitors who attend the Yuba City annual parade. People come from all over the country to convene for the Guru Gadee parade.

19
of 30

A Truck Filled With Free Beverages Alongside The Yuba City Parade Route

Pickup Truck Filled With Free Beverages Along the Yuba City Sikh Parade Route
Iced Beverages Fill a Pickup Truck Offering Free Drinks to Visitors Pickup Truck Filled With Free Beverages Along the Yuba City Sikh Parade Route. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Beverages brought in by the truckload beckon thirsty visitors to drink their fill. Water, soft drinks and juice are given out freely at the Yuba City parade.

A pickup truck packed with ice is filled with bottled water, canned soft drinks, and containers of juice. All along the Yuba City annual parade route, beverages are given freely to anyone who will accept the gift in the spirit of the Sikh tradition of langar.

20
of 30

Yuba City Youths Distributing Langar in Sikh Annual Parade

Yuba City Youths Distributing Langar in Sikh Parade
Sikh Youth Offering Free Food to Passersby Yuba City Youths Distributing Langar in Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Sikh Youth offer free food to passerby while awaiting the Yuba City annual Sikh parade caravan.

Demonstrating the tradition of langar, local Yuba City youth stand in the middle of the street and hold a makeshift table tempting visitors. Passerbys awaiting the coming of Yuba City annual Sikh parade caravan are urged to accept free snacks.

21
of 30

A Sikh Child Passes Out Beverages Along the Yuba City Annual Parade Route

Sikh Child Giving Out Free Beverages Along Yuba City Parade Route
Offer of a Free Beverage From a Sikh Child at the Yuba City Guru Gadee Parade Sikh Child Giving Out Free Beverages Along Yuba City Parade Route. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Demonstrating the Sikh spirit of giving, a child offers passersby free beverages during the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade.

A child demonstrates the Sikh tradition of langar when offering free beverages to passersby. Sikh children learn the concept of seva at an early age.

22
of 30

Sikh Woman Prepares Langar for Visitors to the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Woman Preparing Langar (Free Food) to serve at the Yuba City Sikh Parade Route
Langar Freshly Prepared at the Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Woman Preparing Langar (Free Food) to serve at the Yuba City Sikh Parade Route. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Visitors to the Annual Sikh Parade can look forward to freshly prepared langar made right before their eyes.

A Sikh woman is busy with preparations for langar which will be cooked while visitors to the Annual Sikh parade look on. Langar is free of charge to everyone who comes to take part in or simply watch the Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan.

23
of 30

Freshly Cooked Langar at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Fresh Fried Food at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Fried Food Served Free of Charge While Onlookers Wait to Eat Fresh Fried Food at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Langar is prepared and cooked on site alongside the Yuba City annual Sikh parade route.

Visitors to the Annual Yuba City parade are treated to freshly prepared langar absolutely free of charge. Langar is a longstanding tradition of the Sikh faith.

24
of 30

Sikh Man Offers Passersby a Free Cup of Homemade Tea at the Yuba City Parade

Sikh Man Offers a Cup of Tea to Passersby at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Chai Freely Offered at the Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Sikh Man Offers a Cup of Tea to Passersby at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Dharam Kaur Khalsa

Upholding the tradition of langar, a Sikh Man holds out a cup of hot homemade tea to passersby during the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

The tradition of langar goes back centuries to the founding of Sikhism. A Sikh man carries on the tradition offering freshly made chai, a kind of Indian tea brewed with spices sugar and milk.

25
of 30

Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Gatka Weaponry Display

Yuba City Parade Gatka Weaponry
Gatka Weaponry Exhibition at Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Yuba City Parade Gatka Weaponry. Photo © Khalsa Panth

An exhibition of Gatka weaponry on display during the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade.

Weapons used in exhibitions of skill are on display during Gatka demonstrations held during the Yuba City Annual Sikh parade. Gatka is the Sikh form of martial arts. Gatka Demonstrations are important festivities portraying the martial history of Sikhs during the Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan. Demonstrations of put on by Gatka Masters and students of Sikh martial arts.

26
of 30

Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Gatka Demonstration

Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Gatka Demonstration
Demonstration of Gatka the Sikh Martial Art in Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Gatka Demonstration. Photo © Dharam Kaur Khalsa

Sikhs spar with wooden sticks demonstrating Gatka, the Sikh martial art, along the Yuba City parade route.

Gatka is the traditional martial arts form of the Sikhs. Gatka troupes participate in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade. Two Gatka students spar in the street while demonstrating their skill during Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan.

27
of 30

Gatka Students Demonstrate Skill in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Yuba City Guru Gadee Gatka Demonstration
Yuba City Guru Gadee Gatka Sparring Demonstration Yuba City Guru Gadee Gatka Demonstration. Photo © Dharam Kaur Khalsa

Gatka students demonstrate their skill while sparring in the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

Students show off their skill sparring in a demonstration of the traditional Sikh martial art of Gatka. The Gatka troupe exhibition is a common feature of the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

28
of 30

Sikh Warrior Demonstrates Gatka Sword Play in the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Traditional Sikh Warrior Demonstrates Gatka Martial Arts in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade
Gatka Sword Exhibition in Yuba City Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Traditional Sikh Warrior Demonstrates Gatka Martial Arts in Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade. Photo © Dharam Kaur Khalsa

A Sikh youth in traditional warrior apparel demonstrates his skill with the sword in a Gatka exhibition during the Yuba City annual Sikh parade.

The demonstration of Gatka, the Sikh martial art, is a feature of the Yuba City annual Sikh parade. A youth exhibits his skill at sword play while wearing the traditional ceremonial garb of a Sikh warrior. He sports a tall domalla, blue chola, white kachhera and other articles of faith required to be worn by an initiated Sikh.

29
of 30

Shopping Booth at the Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade

Yuba City Annual Parade Shopping Booth
Annual Shopping Opportunity Coincides with the Yuba City Parade Yuba City Annual Parade Shopping Booth. Photo © Khalsa Panth

Ample opportunity for shopping at the Yuba City annual Sikh parade offers bargain prices.

Shopping opportunities are part of the draw for many visitors who flock to Yuba City for the annual Sikh parade. A wide variety of items are offered for sale including hard to find Sikhism books and kirtan Cd's, Indian fabrics, and the five articles of faith which are required wear for Sikh initiates.

30
of 30

Yuba City Gurdwara Hosts the Annual Sikh Parade

A Worship Hall at the Yuba City Gurdwara
Sikh Temple of Yuba City Hosts the Annual Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan A Secondary Worship Hall at the Yuba City Gurdwara. Photo © Khalsa Panth

The Gurdwara in Yuba City is the gathering spot where the Annual Guru Gadee inauguration Parade originates. Floats leave the gurdwara grounds at about 11am.

The Sikh Temple Yuba City is the hosting gurdwara for the annual inauguration Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan parade. It is located at 2468 Tierra Buena, Yuba City, California, USA 90650. The Gurdwara was built in 1969. An estimated 80,000 people attended the 2006 Guru Gadee event which lasted three days ending with the parade. Approximately 250,000 free meals were prepared and served from the gurdwara langar kitchen over the course of the event. Each year the number of people attending increases with estimates as high as 120,000. The Yuba City economy is estimated to have an annual $20 million boost from the parade attendance.

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Illustrated." Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/yuba-city-annual-sikh-parade-illustrated-4123259. Khalsa, Sukhmandir. (2020, August 26). Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Illustrated. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/yuba-city-annual-sikh-parade-illustrated-4123259 Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Illustrated." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/yuba-city-annual-sikh-parade-illustrated-4123259 (accessed March 19, 2024).