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Photos: Tens of thousands join the 2023 Nagar Kirtan parade in Calgary

Saturday’s Nagar Kirtan parade through the communities of Martindale and Castleridge was a joyous occasion, as tens of thousands of Calgary Sikhs gathered to celebrate part of the Vaisakhi festival.

Nagar Kirtan, the tradition of singing religious songs and performing prayers, saw Calgarians suplicating from the Guru Granth Sahib while engaging in charity and hospitality to all throughout the parade.

The parade was held in celebration of the anniversary of creation of Sikhism by their first religious leader, Guru Nanak.

Photos from the 2023 Nagar Kirtan parade

A hummer leads up the Nagar Kirtan parade while flying the flag of Khalistan in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Bikers take the lead in the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Bikers, men and women, ride in the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Sikhs hold the flags for Khalistan and Alberta during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Sikh youth hold a rope ahead of a major float in the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Sikh men walk with ceremonial swords during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Sikhs hold the flag of Khalistan during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Sikh religious songs are sung during Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Drumming during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Youth play drums and keyboards during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Performers take a moment to pose for a photo during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
An parade marshal ushers worshipers towards a float during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Thousands walk in the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
A man hands out samosas to hungry parade attendees during Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
A community member offers up food to all who pass by during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
A community member offers up food to all who pass by during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Youth eat some of the snacks offered by community members during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
A man offers some drinks to Calgary Fire Department firefighters during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Sikh RCMP and Calgary Police officers pose prior to the start of the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Martial performers show off some of the Sikh martial arts during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
Martial performers show off some of the Sikh martial arts during the Nagar Kirtan parade in the community of Martindale and Castleridge in Calgary on Saturday, May 13, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY

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