MORE than 300 members of the Sikh community in the greater Western Division gathered at Lautoka Sikh Temple yesterday to mark Vaisakhi.
Also known as Baisakhi, Vaisakhi is a harvest festival that originated in Punjab, India.
It also marks the Punjabi New Year and is especially important for the Sikh community as it marks the establishment of the Khalsa, which is also known as the Khalsa Sirjana Divas.
The event was open to all members of the community, regardless of religion. Lautoka Sikh Temple president Bayant Singh said it was an event for everyone to get together.
The event also commemorates the inauguration of the Khalsa, and focuses on teaching followers the importance of practising good deeds and becoming better human beings.
Mr Singh said Vaisakhi also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar, India, in 1919.
Hundreds of Sikhs peacefully protesting were killed after troops of the British Indian Army opened fire on the protesters.
Mr Singh said they considered those who died “martyrs” and celebrated their heroism.
