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Livingston gets a dose of color for Sikh festival

Members of the Sikh community march with the float that holds the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text, as they celebrate the Holla Mahla with a parade in Livingston on Sunday. The parade started at the Gurdwara Sahib Temple and proceeded to the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street, then back again.
Members of the Sikh community march with the float that holds the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text, as they celebrate the Holla Mahla with a parade in Livingston on Sunday. The parade started at the Gurdwara Sahib Temple and proceeded to the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street, then back again. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com

The 17th annual Sikh festival made its way into Livingston on Sunday, drawing crowds of more than 3,500 from all over California. The free event featured a festive procession with bright colors, lively music and awe-inspiring displays of sword fighting. The display of mock battles and swordsmanship is a tradition dating back more than 300 years. The festival also gave attendees a taste of many traditional foods. The parade lasted about about four hours, beginning at noon at the Gurdwara Sahib Temple at 2765 Peach Ave., then moving along Main Street to the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street. The Sikh festival is funded solely by donations, according to organizers. Sikhism is a religion that was founded in India. It has 27 million followers, more than 5 million of them living outside India. Sikhs make up nearly 20 percent of Livingston’s population.

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Livingston gets a dose of color for Sikh festival."

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