Although Vaisakhi has traditionally been a harvest festival in Punjab and across South Asia for centuries, the day has a very special significance for Sikhs. On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa. The Khalsa are those Sikhs who have accepted the Sikh initiation or “khande kee paahul” and commit to live their lives in the spirit of service to all, equality and compassion. The founding of the Khalsa was a seminal event in Sikh history which gave the Sikh faith its final form. Vaisakhi is marked with prayers and celebrations in various local Gurdwaras but Sikhs in Canada also gather to mark Vaisakhi with colourful parades or “nagar kirtans” in all major cities. For Canadian Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a special time to celebrate and share their faith with their friends and neighbours. It's a time to celebrate the well over a century of Sikh history here in Canada and the accomplishments of Sikh Canadians in every facet of society. www.worldsikh.org