Vaisakhi
The Sikh community's New Year and the grand Nagar Kirtan procession through the streets of Novellara
About Vaisakhi
Vaisakhi in Novellara
Vaisakhi is the most important anniversary of the year for the Sikh community: it marks the New Year and the beginning of the spring harvest in Punjab, the region of northern India from which this religious tradition originates. In Novellara, a town in the Bassa reggiana area of the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna, Vaisakhi takes on a very special dimension: the town hosts one of the largest and most established Sikh communities in Italy, grown around the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, the temple on via Bandini, a spiritual reference point for the many faithful of Punjabi origin who live and work in the area.
The Nagar Kirtan Procession
The central moment of the festival is the Nagar Kirtan, the traditional procession that parades through the city streets. Starting from the courtyard adjacent to the Sikh Temple, the procession moves through the town center accompanied by sacred chants, music, dances, and the colors of orange flags, in an atmosphere of shared joy. Participants distribute food and drinks along the route, in the spirit of hospitality and service that characterizes Sikh tradition, and even clean the streets during and after the procession's passage.
A Festival for the Whole Town
Novellara's Vaisakhi is not just a religious event, but a day of cultural encounter. The procession includes a stop in front of the Town Hall for a greeting to local authorities, testifying to a path of respect, coexistence, and integration that has made this community an example of interreligious dialogue in Italy. The event, free and open to all, attracts thousands of people from numerous regions of the peninsula each year.
The Roots of the Tradition
Celebrated in the first half of April, Vaisakhi has its roots in the history of Punjab and the birth of the Sikh community. In Novellara, this anniversary has become an anticipated event on the local calendar, capable of transforming the quiet Emilian town into a crossroads of faith, music, and colors for a day, where Indian tradition meets the welcome of the Bassa padana.
- Municipality: Novellara (province of Reggio Emilia)
- Region: Emilia-Romagna
- Location: Gurdwara Singh Sabha, via Bandini 7, and streets of the town center
- Admission: free, open to all
Vaisakhi — edition 2026
Vaisakhi 2026
On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Novellara celebrated Vaisakhi with the traditional Sikh community procession. The gathering took place at 1:30 PM in the courtyard adjacent to the Sikh Temple at via Bandini 7, with the procession starting at 2:00 PM.
The route went through via Vespucci, via Marco Polo, via Indipendenza, via Campanini, via Cavour, piazza Unità d'Italia, via Vittorio Veneto, via Giovanni Penelli, piazza Mazzini, and finally piazzale Marconi, with a stop in front of the Town Hall at 3:00 PM for the greeting to the authorities. The procession then returned to the temple via via De Amicis and via della Libertà, where the festivities continued from the afternoon.
According to local press, the event attracted around 15,000 participants from various Italian regions, in an atmosphere of celebration, participation, and dialogue.
Programme Vaisakhi 2026
Program for Saturday, April 11, 2026
- 1:30 PM — Gathering of the procession in the courtyard adjacent to the Sikh Temple, via Bandini 7
- 2:00 PM — Start of the procession (Nagar Kirtan) through the town center
- 3:00 PM — Stop in front of the Town Hall (piazzale Marconi) and greeting to authorities
- 3:30 PM-4:00 PM — Return to the temple and institutional greetings
- 4:30 PM — Continuation of festivities
Highlights Vaisakhi 2026
- The grand Nagar Kirtan procession with orange flags, music, and sacred chants
- Approximately 15,000 participants from all over Italy
- The stop in front of the Town Hall for the greeting to authorities
- Distribution of food and drinks along the route according to Sikh tradition
Prices Vaisakhi 2026
Practical information — Vaisakhi
How to get there
Novellara can be reached by car from the A22 Brennero motorway (Reggio Emilia exit) or from the A1 (Reggio Emilia exit), continuing towards the Bassa reggiana. By train, Reggio Emilia station is connected to Novellara via the local railway line and public buses. The procession starts from the Sikh Temple at via Bandini 7 and crosses the town center.
Information
Free event, open to all. For information: Novellara Municipality Tourism Office, tel. +39 331 3567073, email [email protected].
Tips
During the procession, some streets in the center are closed to traffic: it is advisable to park in the outer areas and walk to the route. A respectful attitude towards the religious significance of the festival is particularly appreciated.
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Where does it take place — Vaisakhi
Gurdwara Singh Sabha (Tempio Sikh) e vie del centro
Via Bandini 7, 42017 Novellara