Who Are The Sikhs?
The physical appearances of Sikh men are followed through the Five K’s. The Five K’s include kesh, karpan, kara, and kachhera. Each article has its own meaning.Kesh, meaning uncut hair, symbolizes holiness in India. Men adorn the kesh with a turban or dastaar, while women may use the dastaar or a stole.
The karpan is a sword that is kept by men and women at all times. It is wrapped around the torso with a strap called gatra. The karpan represents the readiness to protect the weak and fight against injustice. This portrays the warriors Sikhs have been for centuries.
The kanga is a small comb made of wood that can be only used by the Sikh man or woman it belongs to and it is usually tucked in the kesh.
A kara is a steel bracelet that Sikhs wear at all times starting from the moment of birth. Many Sikhs get it made in gold or silver if they do not like the steel. It is worn to represent the strength and integrity of the man or woman.
Last of the Five K’s, the kachhera is a cotton boxer that either men or women can wear. Sikhs usually have a few pairs of these. It symbolizes self-control and chastity and prohibits adultery. These articles are worn at all times by the Khalsa who uphold the highest virtues of Sikhism.
Founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sikhism is a 500-year-old religion. It is ranked the world’s fifth largest religion with over 20 million devotees. The religion chastises rituals such as fasting, superstitions, worshipping the dead, and visiting places of pilgrimages. There are many religions and beliefs, but ultimately there is only one God.
Following the years, Guru Nanak Dev Ji passed his leadership and enlightenment to the nine Gurus. The last of these Gurus was Guru Gobind Singh Ji who passed away in 1708.
I recommend watching the movie, Chaar Sahibzade, which left Punjab in tears. Chaar Sahibzade means the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This movie consists of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s life and how his young sons lost their lives protecting their religion. His youngest sons, 9 and 14, were buried alive in a brick wall because they didn’t want to change to the Muslim religion when forced. The location where this happened is a famous landmark called Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab that many tourists can visit and pay respects.
During his lifetime, Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa. The Khalsa follow the code of conduct strictly and wear the articles of the Five K’s at all times. The faith and scriptures of the 10 gurus are all written in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
