Hundreds attend Vaisakhi event hosted by police

Hundreds of people gathered in Birmingham over the weekend for an event organised by police to celebrate the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi.

The West Midlands Police Sikh Association hosted the event at the force's Tally Ho! training centre in Edgbaston on Saturday, along with local gurdawaras and charities.

Gurdwaras in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall contributed to a Langar, a community kitchen open to everyone who attended for free.

Vaisakhi, also called Baisakhi, is a festival that celebrates the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, in 1699.

It was originally a harvest festival in the Punjab region of India until it became the Sikh community's most important festival.

Vaisakhi takes place in mid-April each year, and various events have been held across the West Midlands to mark it in recent weeks.

Saturday's event started with the raising of the Nishaan Sahib, a sacred flag, and a small procession.

It also included sports activities such as kabaddi and weightlifting, as well as arts and crafts for children.

Sundeep Kaur Cheema, from the Sikh Association, said: "The event, seamlessly blending tradition with education and joyous celebration, undoubtedly left a lasting impact on all who attended, showcasing the profound strength and vibrant spirit of the community."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.