April 16, 2014: Preparations are in full swing at Mississauga’s Ontario Khalsa Darbar where thousands of Sikh community members will be celebrating the three-day Vaisakhi festival starting Saturday with traditional enthusiasm.

Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is the biggest annual celebration for Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus, marking the annual harvest festival.

It’s a day of great significance for Sikhs because on this occasion Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhs, laid down the foundation of Khalsa — the Order of the Pure Ones — in 1699.

For Punjabi Hindus, it is the beginning of a new year, which they celebrate with requisite bathing, partying and worshiping.

“We’re making all necessary arrangements at the gurdwara to celebrate Vaisakhi,” said Avtar Singh Punia, president of Ontario Khalsa Darbar. “Everyone is welcomed to come and celebrate with us.”

Every year more than 50,000 Sikhs and other community members gather at Ontario Khalsa Darbar, popularly known as Dixie Gurdwara, to celebrate Vaisakhi.

The main event will take place on Sunday between 9 a.m. and noon during which the 135-foot Nishan Sahib — the holy flag covered in orange cloth — will be re-hoisted.

Typically, the ceremony begins with washing of the holy flag with milk and water and then putting a new cloth onto it.

A large number of leaders, politicians and dignitaries, including Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, are expected to attend the Nishan Sahib hoisting ceremony.

Punia said special guests from Golden Temple in India are also expected to attend.

Early on Saturday, Akhand Path — the continuous singing of Guru Grant Sahib — will begin and continue until Monday morning, followed by Kirtan darbar.