Sikhs at worship in the sacred city of Amritsar

The Festival of Vaisakhi marks the beginning of the Sikh new year and also commemorates the "Khalsa", or founding of the Sikh brotherhood, just over 300 years ago.

In Southampton the Sikh community has two main temples, or Gurdwara, where celebrations will be taking place over the weekend.

Sikh demonstrating martial arts

Sikhs celebrate the festival by transporting their holy book - the Granth Sahib - around town in a colourful procession.

Then a display of martial arts, or Gatka, is put on by the men, while the musicians and congregation sing hymns known as Nagar Kirtan. Free food, or Langar, is prepared by the community and served to everyone at the temple.

It is traditional to change the covering of the flag mast of each Gurdwara, and women clean the pole with yoghurt to signify their involvement in this new beginning.

Women cleaning flagpole with yoghurt

Crowds are expected for the procession on Sunday, starting at midday from the Gurdwara Nanaksar in Peterborough Road.