In the Sikh religion sharing with others is a social responsibility – and next month Tauranga's Sikh community is opening their arms, culture and traditions to residents by hosting a parade along city streets.
Sikh Committee spokesperson Puran Singh saysthe parade on January 9 is not about his community showing off, but about different cultures coming together.
'We want a peaceful and multicultural New Zealand and the event has an open invitation; it's for people to come together, so we can all celebrate in peace.”
Puran has gained Tauranga City Council permission to run the third annual parade on January 9 from the Sikh Temple, known as Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Tauranga (city), on Burrows St along city streets to Devonport Rd and back again.
'Burrow St will be closed from 10.30am to 3pm and other road closures will be in place for the event.
'The parade will begin at 11am on January 9 from our temple with a procession of trucks, cars and people on foot, and finishes back on Burrow St to conclude with an afternoon of free entertainment and food,” says Puran.
'Children take part by playing harmoniums – the youngest is four years old.”
And bagpipes will also be part of the parade, with Puran saying the crowd of thousands enjoyed their sound last year.
Sikh member Raman Kaur says sharing is part of the Sikh philosophy and this will be a chance for her community to show their culture while celebrating the birthday of their 10th Guru.
Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the 10 Gurus, who transformed the Sikh faith.
In 1699 the 10th Guru created the Khalsa, a community of the faithful who wore visible symbols of their faith and trained as warriors.
'January 9 marks the birth of Khalsa or the 10th Guru – this day to us is like Christians celebrating Christmas, the birth of Christ.”
'Our 10th Guru is responsible for deciding how we know dress – he introduced the turban and the salwar kameez that people see us wear today.”
With about 5000 people across the Western Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, Te Puke, Katikati and Whakatane, belonging to the Sikh community, the Burrow St temple is used daily.
Here people come and go daily, to share food, culture, religion and see their children learn traditional Sikh music and Punjabi language.
'Our philosophy is ‘Live and let live' so anyone is welcome at the parade – and we are looking forward to Tauranga people coming out to see it.”