Melbourne's iconic buildings lit up in celebration
Buildings and landmarks around Melbourne were lit in saffron on 12 November in honour of the occasion. Saffron is a significant colour in the Sikh religion and the background colour of the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag.
Buildings that were illuminated include:
- AAMI Stadium
- Arts Centre
- Bolte Bridge
- Flinders Street Station
- Melbourne Museum
- National Gallery of Victoria
Major events and local celebrations supported
Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh community, with more than 52,000 Sikh Victorians recorded in the 2016 Census.
Each year, Sikh communities right across the world celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak – the first Guru and founder of Sikhism. These events are considered the most sacred in Sikhism.
The Victorian Government’s Sikh Celebrations and Events Fund will support 20 events this year across Victoria. All the funded events are open to the Sikh and broader Victorian community.
Major Events
Organisation | Event | Location |
Australian Sikh Council Inc. | Multicultural Community Parade | Bendigo |
Khalsa Shaouni Inc. | 550th Gurpurb Celebrations Sports and Cultural | Plumpton |
Sikh Community of Greater Geelong | Geelong Humanity Walk - Naga | Geelong |
Sri Sukhmani Sahib Sewak Sabh | Kaun Banega Pyare Da | Keysborough |
Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council | Humanity | Melbourne CBD |
Local Celebrations
Organisation | Event | Location |
Brothers and Sisters Foundation Inc | 550 Guru Nanak Dev Ji Birthday | Mount Cotrell |
Guru Nanak Sikh Society Shepparton Inc | Guru Nanak Birthday | Shepparton |
Gurudwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib | Guru Nanak 550th Birthday | Keysborough |
Punjabi Sath Melbourne Inc. | Guru Nanak Birthday Literary Function | Lynbrook |
Sikh Community of Western Victoria | 550th Birth Celebration of Guru | Tarneit |
Sikh Volunteers Australia Incorporate | 550th Birth Celebration of Guru | Berwick |
Reviewed 18 February 2021