STOCKTON, California—A month long celebration of Stockton Gurdwara’s 100-year history comes to a close Sunday with a parade unlike any other.
“This is more symbolic,” said Bhajan Singh Bhinder, who has coordinated the temple’s centennial activities. “This is more for us, more like a pious walk. We will be appreciating the Sikh pioneers for their suffering and all they went through to make today a better day.
“Those coming will have an inner conversation with themselves about what this parade means to them. They will be walking in the footsteps of the forefathers … and thinking about all the hard work, the tears, joy and sorrow. Everyone will be reflecting on that.”
Bhinder said the parade, even if more introspective, will still have the same enthusiasm on the outside. The traditional Sikh parade held each April is one of the most colorful events of the year in Stockton.
Sunday’s parade will start at the same place – 1930 S. Grant St. (to be renamed Sikh Temple Street on Jan. 1)
The coordinator is Harnek Atwal, president of the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society’s Gurdwara Sahib Stockton. The society was founded in 1912.
The parade is expected to last its usual three hours. It will wind through the modest south Stockton neighborhood surrounding the temple and into the downtown area.
As usual, free food and drinks will be available along the route.
“In 1915, the Stockton Gurdwara was built specifically to offer food and drink for all in need,” said Bhinder, 54, a Lathrop-based insurance agent. “That tradition continues with free distribution of food and drink along the route in remembrance of those first souls.”
The parade is the final event on a busy late-September, early October calendar.
On Saturday night, dignitaries representing federal, state and local governments will gather at the temple to honor the long Sikh history in the state.
Two conferences, one from a Western point of view and the other from an Eastern, started the centennial celebration.
“Regarding the Western perspective, close to 700 people attended, and 70 percent of them were young people,” Bhinder said. “They walked away with a sense of responsibility to Sikhs in America. They also left with a sense of pride and belonging.”
