Kuala Lumpur, March 15 (IANS) Sikhs in Malaysia observed a low key New Year, as per the Nanakshahi calendar named after the founder of the faith Guru Nanak.

More and more Sikhs are becoming conscious of the Sikh New Year that fell Sunday, The Star newspaper said.

There were low-key celebrations in Sikh homes and in gurdwaras, where prayers were conducted.

'Vaisakhi is the day the Khalsa, or baptised Sikhs, were first formed. It is a religious occasion as well as a harvest festival for farmers in India. People are often confused because many communities from India have their new year around the same time in April,' The Star newspaper Monday quoted Manjeet Singh as saying.

Malaysia has an estimated 100,000 Sikh population that has several gurdwaras and community feeling is strong. They are engaged in different professions and are generally perceived as being affluent.