After the sweepers come the Five Beloved Ones (the Panj Piaras), barefoot and dressed in glorious orange. In the Wokingham-Reading procession there were two sets of the Five Beloved Ones.
The float follows the Five Beloved Ones. It carries the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, in a place of honour. Also on the float are a group of musicians and a group of women handing out bags of nuts and other food that has been blessed. After the float come the people, following behind and joining in the hymns.
It’s a long, slow route that the procession takes and many shops and families help everyone along by providing drinks and food along the way. Shops and houses are decorated to make it a joyous occasion.
The procession stops at the Ramgarhia Sikh Centre in London Road and there is a lunch break, after which the procession makes its way back to Cumberland Road.
Attachment – more detailed notes about the origin and meaning of Vaisakhi – please click on the document below.
