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Brescia in Italy turns to celebrate the Sikh New Year
Brescia is one of the primary areas for Sikh settlement in Italy, where many work in labour-intensive agricultural jobs, including dairy production of Parmesan cheese.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Tue, 24, Mar 2026
- 08:16 EDT
- 36
Sikh Year in Italy / Courtesy Photo
Brescia in Italy is what Brampton or Surrey in Canada are for the overseas Punjabi community. This major hubs in Northern Italy never miss a date with Sikh historic festivals, be it Maghi, Hola Mohalla, Vaisakhi, or Prakash Utsavs of Sikh Gurus, including Guru Granth Sahib.
Last March 22, Bresica was all “Kesri” as it reverberated with the beats of "Nagaras," "Dhols," and the display of traditional “Gatka” to mark the Sikh New Year. Several thousand Sikhs, not only from all over Italy but also from other parts of Europe, descended on Brescia for the second time in the month, this time to celebrate the new Sikh year. Needless to say, the town awaits yet another big Nagar Kirtan in April to mark Vaisakhi.
ALSO READ: Sikhs in Italy celebrate Hole Mohalla with a "Nagar Kirtan" procession
The Italian cities, especially those with substantial Sikh populations, get colored in the colours of Khalsa during the Nagar Kirtan organised to commemorate historic Sikh festivals.
The Punjabi Sikh community dots rural and semi-urban areas in Northern Italy, with thousands residing in the area, largely working in agriculture and manufacturing. The community is well-established, with several Gurdwaras—including in Flero and Castenedolo—serving as focal points for religious life, such as Vaisakhi parades and community gatherings.
Brescia is one of the primary areas for Sikh settlement in Italy, where many work in labour-intensive agricultural jobs, including dairy production of Parmesan cheese. The central points of convergence for the Sikh community are gurdwaras in Flero and in Castenedolo.
Gurdwara Singh Sabha Flero, with the cooperation of all the local congregations, organised a grand Nagar Kirtan in Brescia. Under the spiritual guidance of the scriptures of sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib and led by the Panj Pyare, the Nagar Kirtan commenced from Via Corsica in Brescia with the resounding cries of “Bole So Nihal.”
The procession was greeted by the Sikh congregations throughout its route, and langar (community kitchen) arrangements were made. Various Ragi and Dhadi jathas added religious fervour to the celebrations with their recitations, besides enlightening the devout with historical accounts. Throughout the route, the congregations chanted “Satnam Waheguru.”
President of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, Karamjit Singh, lauded the community for its enthusiastic participation in the Nagar Kirtan procession to mark the Sikh New Year.
Prithipal Singh of the World Sikh Soldiers Memorial Society revealed that, like previous years, hundreds of Italians not only joined the celebrations but also lauded the services of Punjabi immigrants towards the development of their area.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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