Pictured is a scene from the annual Sikh Parade in Yuba City. The parade will be held this Sunday. Photo courtesy of the Sutter County Sheriff's Office

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Each year, the Gurudware Sahib or “Sikh Temple” in Yuba City hosts one of the largest Sikh Parades outside of the Indian subcontinent.

The festivities are always held on the first weekend in November and begin with hymns and a continuous reading of the Sikh’s holy scriptures (Sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) in its entirety. Friday is marked by fireworks and Saturday by the raising of the flag and open tours of the temple and gurdwara grounds.

The weekend culminates in a large parade on Sunday morning with thousands gathered to witness the Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) dedicated to Prakash Purab of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (compilation of Sikh’s holy scriptures). The Panj Piare (the five beloved ones) lead the procession of the Nagar Kirtan. This is normally followed by one main float, which carries the Sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji along with several Granthi's performing kirtan (Hymns of Guru Ji) and attending to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. The Sangat walk behind the Guru Ji singing Hymns of Guru Ji. 

The procession winds through Yuba City roads on a 4.5-mile route.  Each year, many volunteers cook and donate an astounding amount of free food and beverages to anyone at the Sikh Parade. All are welcome. The Sutter County Sikh Parade was inaugurated in 1980 and has now grown to attract nearly 100,000 spectators each year from throughout the world.

Schedule of Events

Friday, Nov.1

8 p.m. - Kirtan Darbar (hymns of Guru Granth Sahib) followed by fireworks

Saturday, Nov. 2

9 a.m. - Raising of Nishan Sahib Sikh flag followed by Kirtan

10 a.m. - Open house and tour of gurdwara grounds

6 p.m. - Rain Sabaee Kirtan until midnight

Sunday, Nov. 3

11 a.m. - Guru Gadee Nagar Kirtan Annual Sikh Parade

 

Parade Route

The parade route starts at the Temple, travels down Tierra Buena Road to Butte House Road to Civic Center Boulevard to Poole Boulevard to Tharp Road, back onto Butte House Road in the opposite direction turning onto Tierra Buena Road ending back at the Temple. Route markers are attached to telephone poles along the parade route.

The first two letters identify the street name and the number is in sequence. For example, TB1 is Terra Buena Blvd in front of the Temple. Generally, the marker numerical sequence follows the direction of the parade until it turns back onto Butte House Road. In an emergency, please reference these route markers to help direct public safety personnel to your location.

The Sutter County Sheriff's Office recommend using Waze for navigation as it will route you around road closures. Visit www.waze.com/live-map.

 

Parking

Park off of Pease Road and at the River Valley High School where a free shuttle service will be available. Utilize the direction information to navigate to the parking lots. Vehicles that are parked along the parade route and in the residents-only areas will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Parking will not be available at the following locations: Hooper Avenue from True Road to North Colusa Frontage Road, True Road from Hooper Avenue to Madison Road, Pepperwood Avenue from True Road to Butte House Road, Madison Road from True Road to Butte House Road, Butte House Road from Madison Road to Tiera Buena Road, Kira Courts, Vi Courts, Butte House Road from Elmer Road to the east side of Stabler Lane, Poole Boulevard from Tharp Road to Civic Center Boulevard, Tharp Road from Poole Boulevard to Butte House Road, the Back Gate to Del Prado Mobile Home Park on Queens Ave. - "The Ramp" and State Route 20 between Harter Parkway and El Margarita Road.

 

Bus Route Information

Transportation is provided between River Valley High School and the Sikh Temple. The bus route will begin at 8 a.m. and run every 10 minutes. The last bus will leave the Temple at 6 p.m.

Road Closures

Roads surrounding the parade will be closed on Sunday. It is important to note that driving in a closed area not only disrupts the event but also poses a threat to life safety. Law enforcement officers will be monitoring these areas, and any violations may result in citations.

“Throughout the year, the Sutter County Sheriff's Office works closely with partnering agencies in preparation for the Annual Nagar Kirtan in Yuba City, known to many as the Sikh Parade,” stated the Sutter County Sheriff's Office in a recent press release. “With collaboration of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, we tirelessly work together to ensure the safety of our communities. The Sutter County Sheriff's Office is aware of potential threats that may arise each year surrounding the publicity of the parade. Although most threats are unverified, we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the safety of our community. We encourage members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”

To report a crime or suspicious activity, call the Sutter County Sheriff's Office at (530) 822-7307, the Yuba City Police Department at (530) 822-4660 or emergency dispatch at 911.

For more information, visit bepreparedsutter.org/sikhparade.