The Punjabi community in New Zealand will get together to mark the annual Baisakhi festival with piety, grandeur and unity, highlighting one of the most fascinating traditions that date back hundreds of years.
Thousands of men, women and children will join the parades that will be organised by some Gurdwaras in Auckland and other cities in the country.
Sri Kalgidhar Sahib
Thousands of members and volunteers of the New Zealand Sikh Society Auckland (which owns the Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh Sangat Gurdwara in Otahuhu and the Sri Kalgidhar Sahib in Takanini) 
will participate in the largest procession of its kind in New Zealand. The procession will take place on April 7, commencing and concluding at the Otahuhu Gurdwara.
A large contingent of people from other ethnic groups will join the festivities, demonstrating the rapport and close relationship that Punjabis have with the mainstream society in New Zealand.
Gurudwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib will wear a festive look with the members of the community and others displaying solemnity that the occasion deserves.
Prayers and lectures formed a part of the event. Nagar Kirtans (singing in the streets) and Kirtans in Gurdwaras will mark the occasion. Kirtan is a term meaning singing of hymns from the ‘Guru Granth Sahib,’ the Sikh Holy Book.
Spokesperson Daljit Singh said that Kirtans will be held at the Otahuhu and Avondale Gurudwara on April 8 and at Takanini Gurdwara on April 14 and 15.
“The Kabaddi Tournament between India and New Zealand (cancelled last month due to poor weather) will be held in Takanini on April 15,” he said.
Sri Dasmesh Darbar
Among the highlights of the Baisakhi celebrations at Sri Dasmesh Darbar Gurdwara (166 Kolmar Road) Papatoetoe this year will be daily Kirtans by the renowned master Raagi Bhai Davinder Singh Sodhi of Ludhiana in India.
Gurdwara Secretary Raj Bedi said that Bhai Davinder will be a special guest of the Gurdwara from April 8 to April 22, marking the festive period.
“We invite members of all communities to attend the nightly Kirtan Darbar during this period and experience the celestial Gurbani Shabad recitation by Bhai Davinder Singh and his Jatha.
“We will serve ‘Guru Ka Langar’ from 630 pm to 930 pm on April 14 and the programme will culminate with display of fireworks,” he said.
Sri Nanaskar Thath Isher Darbar
South Auckland based Manurewa Gurdwara, known as Sri Nanaskar Thath Isher Darbar will conduct the annual religious parade on April 15, 2012.
Trust official Rajvinder Singh said that the Parade would mark the Foundation Day of the Khalsa or the ‘Pure Ones.’
“This was the day in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh ji created a unique identity for Sikhs after baptising the ‘Panj Piare’ and instilling in them the courage and spirit to live a life of high principles,” he said.
Other Centres
Street processions, Nagar Kirtans, nightly Kirtans at Gurdwaras are being organised by Sikh societies and associations in other centres in New Zealand, including Hamilton, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Christchurch.
