Amrit Sanchaar - Sikh initiation ceremony

Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs are Sikhs that have taken part in a special ceremony called Amrit Sanchaar or Khandey Baatey Di Pahul. The ceremony broadly consists of: select prayers being read by five committed Sikhs while sugar is mixed in water in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, partaking in drinking the water along with other initiates and acceptance of a code of conduct that includes:

  • treating all human beings as equals

  • refraining from tobacco, alcohol or recreational intoxicants

  • refraining from infidelity

  • keeping/wearing all of the Panj Kakaar (5 Ks) upon your body at all times.

Only initiated Sikhs will carry/wear all of the 5 Ks including the Kirpan.

Historical background

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh institutionalised the Khalsa Panth (order of committed Sikhs) and bestowed the five articles of faith upon Sikhs who have received Amrit (initiation ceremony).

Once an individual receives Amrit, that person is responsible for living according to the Sikh Rahit Maryada (code of conduct).

The Sikh identity is rooted in part in the observance and maintenance of five articles of faith. Adherents recognise these articles as gifts from their beloved Guru and are worn with absolute love and appreciation.

The 5 Ks

Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs gave his Sikhs a unique physical identity. An important part of this physical identity was that all Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs were to maintain the Panj Kakaar or the ‘5 K’s’ on their body at all times.

All Amritdhari Sikhs are mandated to wear the five articles of faith which are:

  1. Kes (unshorn hair on whole body with the long hair on the head usually covered by a turban or headscarf)

  2. Kangha (wooden comb)

  3. Kara (iron/steel band worn around predominant wrist)

  4. Kachhehra (prescribed undershorts)

  5. Kirpan (small sheathed curved blade shaped object with handle)

For Sikhs these religious articles have deep spiritual and practical significance. The 5 Ks are not symbols. They are mandatory articles of faith to be worn at all times. Adherents recognise these articles as gifts from their beloved Guru and they are worn with absolute love and appreciation.

5 K’s graphic depiction above taken from publication ‘Sikhi - Faith and Followers’ by the Sikh Research Institute

Sikhs and their practices

Sikhs can be broadly broken up in to the following groups:

All Sikhs generally wear a Kara (steel / iron band worn around the predominant wrist)

Practising Sikhs may carry/wear some of the 5 Ks (e.g. Kara and Kes but not the Kirpan)

Only Amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs carry/wear all of the 5 Ks including the Kirpan

While not all Sikhs are initiated, the 5 Ks are deeply respected by all Sikhs whether Amritdhari (initiated) or practicing.

Note:

  • The above grouping categories of Sikhs do not bear any resemblance of a Sikh’s spiritual journey.

  • These categories are only being used for the purposes of providing an explanation of Sikh practices for a non-Sikh audience. Sikhs tend not to utilise these categories on the basis that they infer discrimination which Sikhs oppose strongly in any shape or form.

Frequently asked questions:

Can men and women become Amritdhari (initiated)?

Yes, as Sikhs practice equality, any person may become Amritdhari (initiated).

Is there a documentation requirement for Sikhs who are Amritdhari (initiated)?

There is no ‘certificate of initiation’ or some sort of central repository or database of initiated Sikhs.

Is there an age requirement for the Amrit Sanchaar ceremony?

There is no age requirement for this ceremony however initiates are required to have the maturity to understand and uphold the code of conduct. Sikhs who do not display this maturity can have initiation refused.

How do I know if a Sikh is Amritdhari or not?

It is unlikely that you will be able to tell if a Sikh is Amritdhari just by looking at them. If they are in traditional / ceremonial dress they may be wearing their Kirpan and Gatra on the outside of their clothing. Only Amritdhari Sikhs wear a Kirpan. The easiest way to find out if someone is Amritdhari or not is to ask them in a respectful way. For example:

“Hi, I have reading up about Sikh practices and I understand that some Sikhs become Amritdhari. I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you an Amritdhari Sikh?”