Vaisakhi celebration draws community to Wingham's Columbus Centre
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
The Wingham Columbus Centre played host to its first-ever Vaisakhi (pronounced like ‘ice hockey’) celebration on Sunday, April 21. The free event featured an informative cultural presentation, dancing, henna tattooing, turban wrapping demonstrations and an absolutely tremendous community meal.
Last year, revelers enjoyed a great time at the town’s first-ever Diwali celebration at the Wingham Legion, which was co-organized by local business owner and philanthropist Gurpreet Singh. The response was so positive, in fact, that this year, Singh and a team of hardworking volunteers decided to host Sunday’s Vaisakhi event, which celebrates the founding of the Sikh faith. The party was very well-attended by locals and visitors of all ages who were excited to break bread together and gain a deeper appreciation of a celebration of faith. Upon arrival, guests were encouraged to snack on delicious vegetable pakoras with sweet tamarind and vibrant coriander chutneys.
Once everybody was settled down at tables, Anmol Kaur of Listowel made an informative and enjoyable presentation. She offered an overview of the origins of Sikhism in the agricultural state of Punjab. She also explained a few principles of the faith, and the traditions associated with Vaisakhi. “A lot of the values we want to represent are the same values that Canada represents,” she said.
A portion of Anmol’s presentation was dedicated to a Sikh house of worship in India known as The Golden Temple, which contains the largest “langar”, or free kitchen, in the world. They feed an astonishing 100,000 people every day. Huge pots full of lentils, beans and rice are stirred day and night by a huge crew of volunteers, while others produce towering stacks of bread to feed the long line of hungry visitors. The meals are always vegetarian, so as to ensure all who come can partake, no matter what dietary restrictions they may have. The Golden Temple is open 24 hours a day, and strives to never send anyone away hungry. The influx of guests increases every year, but so do donations to keep the langar in operation. In Sikh culture, nourishment is an essential part of everyday spiritual life.
The sharing of food is also an essential part of Vaisakhi. Singh ensured that there was ample food for every community member in attendance, and encouraged one and all to eat together. The vibrant main meal consisted of vegetable manchurian, curry pakoras, butter paneer, raita, rice, chapati and naan, with a delicious carrot halwa for dessert. The food was both invigorating and filling, with a perfect level of spice, just on the border of adventurous for the average Huron County palate. The abundant meal was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance, as was the dancing and revelry that followed.