SikhNet, represented by its Executive Director Daas Atma Singh, is attending two 2025 Vaisakhi Events, one in Houston, Texas, and the other in Los Angeles, California.
- On April 19th, SikhNet will attend the Grand Vaisakhi Mela, a cultural event hosted by the Punjabi Society in Houston.
- On April 20th, SikhNet will attend a Vaisakhi Commemoration Event hosted by the Sikh Community of Southern California at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Daas Atma Singh invites you to “Come and meet SikhNet.” He would love to see you and looks forward to meeting with you.
Houston Punjabi Society Cultural Event ~ Grand Vaisakhi Mela 2025
The Punjabi Society of Greater Houston has invited Executive Director Dass Atma of SikhNet to attend the annual Grand Vaisakhi Mela 2025 as a VIP guest. Look for the SikhNet Banner at the Punjabi Society booth. A cultural event featuring traditions of singing and dancing centering around Vaisakhi harvest festivities, the Mela takes place Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Stafford Center Auditorium, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford, TX 77477.
Other VIP Guests who will also be present include:
- Council General of India - Mr. D.C Manjunath
- Mayor of Stafford - Mr. Ken Matthew
- Mayor of Missouri City, TX - Mr. Robin J Elackatt
- Sheriff Ed Gonzalez
- First Sikh Female Judge of the USA, Manpreet Monica Singh
Vaisakhi Festivities begin at 5:00 pm with shopping booths and Mahesh’s Kitchen, an Indian Fusion food booth featuring favorite flavors:
- Samosas Chat
- 2 Alloo Vada with Chuntey
- Bombay Sandwich with Cheese
- Chili paneer Slider
- Pani Puri
- Chinese fried rice with hot sauce
- Pulav rice
- Gajar hawa
- Masala Chai
At 6:30 pm, the focus turns to Punjabi harvest traditions, which include traditional Bhangra, Ghida, and Folk dance troupes and teams from Texas. Performers include teams from:
- Hookem Bhangra from Austin
- Almo Bhangra from San Antonio
- Rice Bhangra from Rice University
- Huston Bhangra Academy featuring 7 performances
Performers will sing Punjabi folk songs and play traditional drumming instruments, Dhol and Dolki. Dances include all-male Bhangra, all-female Bhangra, all-female Ghida, and a Folk dance that features traditional wedding fashions.
VIP Guests, including Dass Atma Singh of SikhNet, will join the stage to present cash gifts to each of the participating dance teams. An LED screen that is 10 feet by 24 feet will display a photo of each of the VIP presenters.
The main organizer of the Grand Vaisakhi Mela is Jasmeeta Singh, who will perform in the Folk dance told SikhNet that she “cannot produce anything small.” Jasmeeta, along with Jassi, who has passed, organized the first Grand Vaisakhi Mela in 2012. They continued until 2019, when the COVID-19 lockdown interrupted the annual festival for several years. They resumed festivities in 2023 and are planning another grand cultural event to entertain you on April 19th, 2025. Jasmeeta told SikhNet, “Other women, Jasleen Kaur, Rupy Kaur, Gagan, and Sukhpreet Kaur, have supported me during Vaisakhi for many years. I started this celebration so that my kids could learn about culture and participate in it. Jassi encouraged me to perform and choreograph the kids’ fancy dress program, and I’ve never stopped since then. These women have been my backbone throughout this journey.”
Tickets are available from the Punjabi Society of Greater Houston Website.
Sikh Community of Southern California Live and Online Vaisakhi Event at LA Cultural Center
Dozens of Gurdwaras from around California are collaborating to bring you the Live and Online Vaisakhi full-day event on Sunday, April 20, 2025. The event commemorates 1699 Vaisakhi Day when Guru Gobind Singh initiated the Khalsa. Sangat attending in person are requested to wear their kirpan on the outside of their clothing, as there will be a security check before entering the LA Convention Center. SikhNet will be represented by Executive Director Dass Atma Singh, who invites you to meet him in West Hall A.
- The Vaisakhi Event begins at 3:45 am with Japji Sahib, and Asa Di Var by Chardi Kala Jatha from 4:00 am to 6:00 am, at the Guru Gram Das Ashram, 1620 Pruess Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
- A Grand Procession from 6:15 am to 6:45 am will transport Guru Granth Sahib Ji to the LA Convention Center at 1201 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90015.
- Prakash will be done at 7:00 am, and a Kirtan Darbar Program with 45 Ragi Jathas from Southern and Central California will be ongoing in West Hall B until 3:00 pm. The program will be available online via livestream.
- A Vaisakhi Bazaar will be held in West Hall A where the SikhNet booth will be located among various displays of Sikh art, books, jewelry, and the Panj Kakkar (5 K’s, required articles of faith). SikhNet's tables will be in the front entry section of the Bazaar area, in Hall A of the Convention Center's West Hall building.
- Guru ka Langar will be available all day. Let your nose guide the way. Free langar will be served from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm, and snacks will be served later in the day at 5:30 pm.
- A Nagar Kirtan Program will begin at 3:00 pm to joyously transport Guru Granth Sahib Ji to Gilbert Lindsay Plaza and Downtown Los Angeles along a 2-mile parade route. Gatka showcases skills with weaponry and is sure to entertain spectators. The procession will return to the LA Convention Center by 5:00 pm, where pakoras and tea will be available.
Organizer Kirtan Singh told SikhNet that “maps will be provided” with the various booths in West Hall A marked. Be sure to pick up a map to visit the SikhNet booth and meet with Dass Atma Singh.
Sangat is invited to participate in the preparatory Seva:
- Set up and decorating the Darbar hall and bazaar will ongoing Friday April 18th from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday April 19, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Los Angeles Convention Center CA.
- Float Decorating Sewa will be ongoing from Friday 18th from 6 pm to 11:00 pm and Saturday, April 19th from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm at the Khalsa Care Foundation, 9989 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA.
- Langar Preparation sewa on Saturday, April 19th from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Hollywood Sikh Temple, 1966 N. Vermont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
- Langar Serving Sewa on Sunday, April 20th from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the LA Convention Center, CA.
Cleanup Seva is always welcome.
