5 things you need to know about Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi celebrations in Vancouver and Surrey are some of the biggest you'll find anywhere outside of India.

Hundreds of thousands of people attend the events on back-to-back weekends every year in mid-April.

If you plan on joining the huge crowds, here are five things you should know about Vaisakhi.

1. The origin

Vaisakhi originated as a harvest festival in India's Punjab region hundreds of years ago.

In 1699, it took on special significance for Sikhs when Guru Gobind Singh the tenth Sikh guru created the order of the Khalsa.

Kulpreet Singh, a teaching assistant at Sikh Academy Elementary School, says Khalsa means 'pure' and refers to all baptized Sikhs.

"The Khalsa is someone who is sovereign within themselves under God," Singh said.

"Someone who serves humanity with sweetness, love and devotion."

The first five Sikh baptisms all performed by Guru Gobind Singh occurred at the 1699 Vaisakhi celebration.

2.It's more than a parade

The parade is about more than decorated floats, music and people dressed in bright colours.

The holy scriptures which are known as the Guru Granth Sahib are also carried through the streets on a float.

"The actual name for this event is Nagar Kirtan, which means singing the praises of the Creator with musical instruments in the street," Singh said.

"It's a spiritual gathering."

3. There's lots of free food

Here's an understatement for the ages it is unwise to attend Vaisakhi on a full stomach.

All the food ranging from pakoras to pizza is free.

Giving out food comes from the tradition of langar,which is the free community meal offered every day at Sikh temples around the world.

"Everyone is supposed to gather at the same level and to humble themselves and the same meal," Singh said.

"We share despite any social differences."

4. New phrases

Vaisakhi can alsobe a good time to try out a new phrase or two in Punjabi.

If you're feeling ambitious, Singh recommends a popular greeting.

"Whenever any Sikh sees another Sikh, they'll fold their hands and they'll greet them," he said.

"They say, 'Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh."

If that's a little too advanced, Singh says you try something simpler.

"Dhanwad means thank you," he said.

5.The crowds are huge, so plan accordingly

It's not unusual for children or elderly people to get separated from their families in the massive crowds.

Cpl. Elenore Sturko with Surrey RCMP says police have responded to dozens of missing persons calls over the years at the festival.

Sturko recommends taking the following precautions:

• Familiarize your family members with their surroundings and have a pre-planned meeting place
• Equip your family members with some form of identification and your contact information
• Make sure everyone in your party is aware of the location of the Surrey RCMP missing person's tent and the location of emergency personnel
• Keep a current photo of your child on you in case you need to describe them to police
• Keep your children within eyesight at all times

Parade times

The Vancouver parade starts at the Khalsa Diwan Society at 8000 Ross Street at 11 a.m.April 13. The event goes until approximately 5 p.m.

The Surrey parade starts at the Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar Temple at 12885 - 85 Avenue at 9.30 a.m.April 20. It will wrap up at the same location at approximately 4 p.m.

Everything you need to know about Vaisakhi

5 years ago

Duration 2:25

The CBC's Anita Bathe explains what Vancouver and Surrey's massive Vaisakhi celebrations are all about