Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has issued this following Vaisakhi message:
"A very Happy Vaisakhi and Happy New Year to my Sikh constituents and the whole of London’s Sikh community.
Many will be celebrating this important festival in great style by taking part in a colourful nagar kirtan procession of music, dancing and great food.
This Sikh New Year also marks the establishment of Sikhism as a collective faith in 1699 – when the tenth guru Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in front of thousands at Anandpur Sahib.
I know many Sikhs will choose to be baptised into the Khalsa brotherhood today and I wish them all the best in this important expression of their faith.
I hope everyone celebrating Vaisakhi will be able to spend time with their family and friends."