Sikhism:  The Birth of “Khalsa”

Contributed by Andra Baylus, Regional Director of the Meher Baba Spiritual Community

April 14th in Sikhism marked the creation of the “Khalsa” by Guru Gobind Singh. This is celebrated as Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a major festival for Sikhs and is also a harvest Festival in the Punjab region of India.

On Vaisakhi of 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, established the Khalsa, a community of baptized Sikhs who adhere to strict codes of conduct and wear the Five Ks.

The Five K’s:

The 5 K’s (Panj Kakkars) are five symbolic articles of faith in Sikhism worn by initiated Sikhs (Khalsa) to represent their commitment to the faith and its principles. These are :

• Kesh (uncut hair):
  This signifies submission to God’s will and rejecting artificiality. Men wear their hair long and cover it with a turban, while women may also choose to keep their hair uncut and wear a turban. 
• Kangha (wooden comb):
  This is a symbol of cleanliness and self-discipline. Sikhs use it to comb their hair daily and maintain its neatness. 
• Kara (steel bracelet):
  This is a continuous steel bracelet worn on the right wrist, representing the oneness of God and the cyclical nature of life, without beginning or end. 
• Kachera (cotton undergarment):
  This symbolizes self-control and adherence to moral principles. It’s worn as an undergarment, typically white cotton shorts. 
• Kirpan (small sword):
  This symbolizes courage, justice, and the duty to defend the weak and oppressed. It’s a reminder of a Sikh’s commitment to fighting against injustice and tyranny.

Vaisakhi is a time of joy and celebration with Sikhs participating in religious services, Nagar Kirtan (parades with devotional singing) and other communal activities. It is also a time to reaffirm commitment to the principles of Sikhism.

This blog post is the expressed opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Tysons Interfaith or its members.