Tauranga’s Turban Day is an opportunity to try on a turban and meet members of the city’s Sikh community.
From 11am to 2.30pm on Saturday, October 4, the Tauranga Waterfront will be a place that people can experience the rich traditions of Sikhism.

“This is about bringing our community together to enjoy delicious free food, learn the art of tying a turban, and try one on for yourself,” said Gurudwara Sikh Sangat Tauranga president Puran Singh.
Turban Day offers a unique opportunity to explore the significance of the dastar, or turban, which holds deep meaning in Sikh culture.

Participants can choose from a dazzling array of five-metre turbans in various colours, with experts available to demonstrate how to tie them. It typically takes five to 10 minutes to tie a turban.

“The turban sets us apart,” said Singh. “In Sikh culture, we’re taught to support those in need, em
body kindness and uphold strong moral values. When you see a turban, you know it represents these principles.”
The Sikh community in New Zealand seeks to foster understanding and appreciation of its culture. Turban Day aims to educate people about Sikhism’s core belief in equality.

The tradition began in New York as a grassroots effort to share the beauty of wearing a turban. It quickly gained popularity, culminating in a world record in 2018 when more than 9000 turbans were tied in the city’s Times Square.
Since then, it has become a celebrated annual event in many countries, including Auckland since 2016. This is the fifth Turban Day event in Tauranga.