Hundreds of Sikhs from across West Yorkshire filled Huddersfield town centre with a sea of orange for the annual Vaisakhi parade.
The colourful event is one of the key events in the Sikh calendar celebrating the day in 1699 when the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Sikh community known as the Khalsa.
The procession, which began at Guru Nanak Temple on Prospect Street, wound through Huddersfield town centre and stopped in St George’s Square before marching up Bradford Road to the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Temple on Hillhouse Lane in Fartown.
The march was led by a drummer, a prayer float which contained the holy book the Guru Granth Sahib and five devout Sikhs carrying swords called ‘Panj Pyare’, (five beloved).
Worshippers were joined by Kirklees Mayor Clr Paul Kane, who gave a speech before the parade started, and musicians and practitioners of Sikh martial arts.
The parade was followed by a coach for those unable to walk the full distance.
Among the organisers taking part was Jasbir Mahil, secretary of Guru Nanak Temple.
Mr Mahil said: “The turnout was really good. We had people from Huddersfield, Halifax, Dewsbury and Wakefield.
“We got more people than the last couple of years. I don’t know if that’s due to the better weather but it was really nice.
“Everybody appreciated the parade and the story of Vaisakhi.”
Vaisakhi officially falls on April 13 but millions of Sikhs all over the world will be celebrating throughout the month and into May. Celebrations usually take the traditional form of religious processions known as Nagar Kirtans, which can involve hymn singing, martial arts displays and giving away food.
According to Sikh legend, Guru Gobind Singh Ji tested the commitment of thousands of Sikhs by asking them to sacrifice themselves to him.
The first five to pass his test were initiated into a new order. These men came to be known as the Panj Pyare.
Britain’s biggest Vaisakhi parades take place outside City Hall, London; in Handsworth, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
