Thousands are expected to turn out in Bradford this weekend to mark the annual Sikh celebration of Vaisakhi, transforming the streets into a vibrant and colourful procession.

Plans for this year’s Vaisakhi celebrations have been unveiled, which will see a Nagar Kirtan – a Sikh custom involving the processional singing of holy hymns – to six Sikh temples in the city.

Last year’s event saw about 7,000 Sikhs parade through the city’s streets for the annual celebration of the birth of the Sikh faith.

Each year, Sikhs from across the county congregate in Bradford to celebrate the event, which this year will be starting at 10am on Sunday.

This year’s route will start at the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, in Gobind Marg, off Leeds Road.

The procession will then take in: * the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in Usher Street, off Wakefield Road; * the Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan, in Peckover Street, off Leeds Road; * the Guru Ravidass Bhawan, in Brearton Street, off Manningham Lane; * the Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara, in Bolton Road; * and the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, in Grant St, off Garnett Street, before returning to the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara.

The procession was last year led by drummers from the Soul Asia Dohol Academy and members of the Houghton Le Spring Pipe Band.

Also at the front of the parade were five bearers of the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh holy flag, and a five-strong guard of honour.

The centrepiece of the procession, displayed on a float, was the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh holy book.

Pritpal Singh, a senior volunteer at the Gurdwara Amrit Parchar Dharmik Diwan, said people had travelled from across the country and abroad for the parade.

He said: “Vaisakhi was all about equality, regardless of what background or class you come from. It’s a celebration everyone can get involved in. It shows people we are still going strong.”