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The Khalsa was formed by Guru Gobind Singh at Vaisakhi in AD1699. It is a group into which committed Sikhs can be initiated to demonstrate their devotion to their faith.

The Khalsa commemorates five volunteers who were prepared to offer their lives for Waheguru and Guru Gobind Singh. Their commitment is an example of sewa – a willingness to serve others without thought for your own wellbeing.

After offering their lives to Guru Gobind Singh, the five volunteers were given amrit, which is a mixture of sugar and water. They were given it in a bowl stirred by a khanda – a double-edged sword. This represented them being initiated into the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh then declared them the first five members of the Khalsa. They became known as the Panj Pyare – the five beloved ones.

Guru Gobind Singh and his wife were then initiated into the Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh declared that all men who were initiated into the Khalsa would be given the name ‘S���Բ���’, meaning ‘lion’, and all women who were initiated would be given the name ‘K���ܰ�’, meaning ‘princess’. This indicates the removal of status or caste and represents equality and fairness within all humanity.

Today, Sikhs who wish to become members of the Khalsa show their commitment and dedication by taking part in the Amrit Sanskar ceremony. This ceremony initiates them into the Khalsa.

The five Ks

The five Ks are five items that are worn on the body. They can be considered a uniform for Amritdhari Sikhs, also called ‘Khalsa Sikhs’. These Sikhs outwardly show their commitment to the Sikh faith to others. However, many Sahajdhari Sikhs (Sikhs who have not gone through the Amrit Sanskar ceremony) often wear some or all of the five Ks too.

Each of the five Ks has its own symbolic meaning:

• Kara - Because it is a circle, the kara represents the eternal nature of Waheguru, without beginning or end. It reminds Sikhs of the unbreakable relationship they have with God. It is a reminder that they must do the work of God at all times and avoid the Five Vices (pride, greed, lust, anger and attachment to material possessions).
• Kesh – Sikhs believe that the hair is a gift from God. They believe it was intended to be worn naturally and so it must not be cut. Hair is often viewed as a symbol of strength and vitality in Sikh culture. Sikhs often wear a turban to keep it clean. However, the turban is not one of the five Ks.
• Kanga - Sikhs carry this around to help them keep themselves tidy. It also helps them to remember that they must keep themselves in a clean and tidy state both physically and mentally. Sikhs often refer to the kanga removing knots from their hair as a metaphor for how following the teachings of God removes the tangles and difficulties from a person’s life.
• Kaccha/kachera – This plain, comfortable underwear is a reminder that Sikhs must show self-control, modesty and chastity. This means they cannot undertake sexual activity unless they are married, and they must not commit adultery. The kaccha also reminds Sikhs of what the warriors who fought for their faith wore on the battlefield.
• Kirpan – Sikhs carry around this small single-edged sword to represent their duty to protect their faith and defend those in need. It reminds Sikhs to always fight for justice and protect the weak. It must never be used in anger. Today, the kirpan is worn for its symbolism, not as an actual weapon. Because of the practical difficulties of wearing a kirpan, some Sikhs prefer to wear an alternative, such as a pendant in the shape of a kirpan on a neck chain.