Sikh festival returns to Nottingham after pandemic

It was the first time the procession could take place since the start of the pandemic

About 3,500 people took to the streets of Nottingham to celebrate the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi for the first time in three years, organisers said.

The street procession should have happened two weeks ago but it was postponed due to traffic management issues.

The coronavirus pandemic prevented the traditional celebrations the previous two years.

The annual festival involved a parade, sword-fighting displays and meditation.

Spiritual hymns were sung as the procession moved through the city

Vaisakhi celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, in 1699.

On Sunday spiritual hymns were sung as the Nagar Kirtan procession moved around several gurdwaras in the city.

The procession should have taken place two weeks ago but was postponed

Organiser Gagan Johal said celebrating at home during the pandemic was "not the same".

He said there had been excitement around the return of the traditional festivities.

"It's been three years and everybody has got a good hype and a buzz out of it.

"They were looking forward to coming back out on the street and meeting each other again - making the streets bright, colourful, loud," he said.

Sword-fighting displays, meditation and music were part of the celebrations