Bendigo's Sikh community has paraded through the city streets to celebrate the 550th anniversary of the birth of the founder of Sikhism.
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Hundreds walked from the Ulumbarra Theatre, down View Street to Rosalind Park where people were welcome to enjoy free vegetarian food, tea and snacks.
Organiser Sandeep Singh said he was thankful so many people from both the Sikh faith and the broader community gathered together for the event.
"The Sikh community has a history of more than 180 years in Australia and Sikhs have contributed in the development of regional Victoria," he said.
Read more: Sikh community holds multicultural parade
"The community has grown at a fast rate in the last decade and by organising this event we wanted to commemorate this important anniversary.
"We also want to tell people that Sikh principles are focused on the welfare of the whole of humanity."
The parade, or Nagar Kirtan, was a traditional celebration to honour the birth of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Sahib.
The procession lasted about an hour and was led by the decorated float called the Palanquin, which housed the eternal Guru, Guru Granth Sahib.
Throughout the ceremony, there were also traditional martial arts demonstrations and kirtan - or traditional storytelling songs.
There were also a number of stalls and children's activities at the procession's end in Rosalind Park.
Bendigo resident Ash Sohal joined the parade on Sunday to show support for his Sikh community.
"It's about being here for the organisation," he said. "They help people all around the world and are generous for everyone - and it is for everyone.
"Anyone can come and take part, even in the Sikh temples. It doesn't matter who you are or what religion you are, you're most welcome to come in and look around and be part of it.
"It's a great event and we should all come and support it again next year."
Bendigo resident Hardeep Kaur also took part in the parade with her family.
She said she was excited such a momentous celebration in the Sikh faith was taking place in the regional city.
"When we came here in 2002, there was only our family and one other Sikh family," she said. "Back then, we couldn't find any other Indian people. Now there's a big community here.
Mrs Kaur's daughter Jaspreet Raj said her family wanted to show their support for the growing community.
"We are representing our culture and bringing everyone together," she said. "And the Keysborough and Melbourne community has helped us bring people together as well because a lot of people have moved here."
People from the broader Bendigo community were also invited to celebrate on Sunday.
Gail Dwyer and Beth Conroy from the Havilah Road Preschool avidly watched the parade.
"We are here to support multiculturalism in Bendigo," Ms Dwyer said. "We have a little boy at kinder who is of Indian heritage so we're here to support the community today.
"I hope everyone embraces the culture and gets involved."
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