Manchester Museum Celebrates Vaisakhi
In partnership with Manchester Sikh Foundation and Feed My City
You are invited to a Sikh Vaisakhi celebration at Manchester Museum, in partnership with Manchester Sikh Foundation (Feed My City), on Saturday 19 April.
The Museum event includes a Langar, which is a Sikh concept founded by the first Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji. A Langar is a free, nourishing, vegetarian meal served to anyone regardless of religion, gender, status or ethnicity. It reflects love, equality and compassion.
This year’s programme
Main Hall
10am-5pm Meditation and chanting – Simran and Kirtan
10am-5pm Khalsa Aid humanitarian organisation
10am-5pm Basics of Sikhi
Belonging Gallery
10am-5pm Sikh Artifex – arts and crafts
The Square at University Place (opposite the Museum)
1pm Live Gatka demonstration – Sikh martial arts
Kanaris Theatre
10am-4pm Langar – free kitchen serving nourishing vegetarian food
What is Vaisakhi?
Vaisakhi for the Sikhs celebrates the formation of the KHALSA (the collective, physical embodiment of the Guru). It was created by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
An initiation ceremony was performed in front of a crowd of 80,000 people. Guruji asked for volunteers who were ready to sacrifice themselves for upholding righteousness.
The first Panj Pyaray (five beloved ones) who answered this call proved their unconditional commitment to Guruji. Their names reflect the Khalsa qualities and perspective to life.
Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is truthful living.
- Daya = compassion and empathy.
- Dharam = justice and righteousness.
- Himmat = courage and effort.
- Mohkam = endurance and commitment.
- Sahib = mastery and sovereignty.