The 13th April marks the start of the Sikh Vaisakhi festival.

Gravesend in Kent is home to the biggest Gurdwara temples in the UK and host to one of these spectacular festivals. This year’s festival took place on 15th April - the festival started with the raising of the Sikh flag, followed by hymns, a display of martial arts, bhangra dancing and an offering of food and drink.

Throughout the festival, the town centre becomes filled with vibrant colours, traditional Sikh costumes and displays of worship. The festival originated in 1699, staring in India at a time when the tenth Guru chose Vaisakhi as a time to transform Sikhs into a family of Soldier Saints. During the first festival, the Guru asked five of the men to sacrifice their lives to which they agreed. The men were not sacrificed and become known as the ‘beloved five’ after which they were baptised, starting the idea of the Sikh baptism ceremony.

In previous years, the festival has had some high-profile visitors, including David and Samantha Cameron who visited the festival in 2016.  This year’s attendees included Gravesend’s Mayor Greta Goatly and local MP, Adam Holloway.