Sikhs across London gather in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the holiest day in their religious calendar

Trafalgar Square became a beacon of culture as it celebrated Vaisakhi in a combination of Sikh and Punjabi tradition and culture.

The event, coordinated by a Sikh group, is a celebration of heritage and culture on the anniversary of Khalsa being founded in 1699.

The Khalsa was founded and led by the Five Beloved Ones, who sought to protect Sikhism which suffered oppression after it was born in 1469.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was in attendance at the event in London’s central hub, which boasted stalls highlighting Sikh culture. 

A choir of schoolchildren performed during the celebrations in the capital, alongside stands where traditional Indian tea, called Langar, could be purchased, alongside one of the largest Sikh art exhibitions in the country.

Men dressed in traditional uniform of the 15th Ludhiana Sikh Regiment were pictured celebrating the holiest day of the religion’s calendar.

Men dressed in traditional uniform of the 15th Ludhiana Sikh Regiment stand to attention on the steps of Trafalgar Square

Festival-goers beam as they pose for a selfie in one of London’s most famous landmarks as they celebrate Vaisakhi festival

The event, coordinated by a Sikh group, is a celebration of Sikh and Punjabi tradition, heritage and culture, on the anniversary of Khalsa, which was founded in 1699

Sadiq Khan with members of the Vaisakhi Organising Committee on stage during the celebrations in London

A woman has a bright pink turban tied around her head during during the Mayor of London Vaisakhi celebrations

The event included schoolchildren who gave an enthusiastic perfomance on the stage in Trafalgar Square, in London

Men dressed in traditional uniform chat during the event, which celebrates the holiest day in the Sikh calendar

Schoolchildren entertained the crowds attending Vaisakhi festival in Trafalgar Square, central London, where Sikhs gathered to mark the New Year

Women smile as they pose on the steps of Trafalgar Square during the Vaisikhi celebrations in London

Members of the armed forces smile as they chat and walk together during the celebration of the holiest day in the Sikh calendar

Sadiq Khan met with members of the British Armed Forces Sikh Association in Trafalgar Square, London, today as he joined in  New Year celebrations 

Surjit Singh with his son Ajit Singh, aged 10, during the Mayor of London Vaisakhi celebrations in central London gathered to mark the important date in the Sikh calendar 

Jasdeep Singh, Community Curator of the National Army Museum, was among those to turn out in the capital to mark the Sikh New Year alongside the Mayor of London today 

A woman has a turban tied as part of the Vaisakhi celebrations today to mark the Sikh New Year as Sadiq Khan joined the festival in London 

Passersby posed for pictures with Sikhs as they celebrated their New Year in Trafalgar Square alongside the Mayor of London 

Schoolchildren joined in the festivities in the capital as more than 20million Sikhs across the globe marked the holiest day in their calendar 

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