 The Amrit Ceremony
Sikhs who have been through the Amrit Ceremony of initiation become baptised Sikhs, take new names, and wear the 5 Ks.
The Amrit Ceremony is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when he founded the Khalsa in 1699.
The ceremony takes place in a Gurdwara, before the Guru Granth Sahib, and in the presence of 5 initiated Sikhs (who represent the Panj Piyaras, the first 5 Sikhs to be initiated).
During the ceremony, hymns are recited from the Sikh scripture, prayers are said, and the principles of Sikhism are affirmed
Then amrit is prepared. Amrit (above) is a mixture of sugar and water that has been stirred with a double-edged sword.
The candidates for initiation drink some of the amrit from the same bowl, and have it sprinkled on their eyes and hair.
Each then recites the Mool Mantra (the fundamentals of Sikhism). There are readings from the Guru Granth Sahib and an explanation of rules of Sikhism. The ceremony ends with the eating of the ceremonial karah parshad.
5 Ks Are...
* Kesh – Uncut Hair
Various reasons and symbolisms have been put forward for the Sikh practice of keeping hair uncut.
- Throughout history hair(kesh) has been regarded as a symbol both of holiness and strength.
- One's hair is part of God's creation. Keeping hair uncut indicates that one is willing to accept God's gift as God intended it.
- Uncut hair symbolizes adoption of a simple life, and denial of pride in one's appearance.
- Not cutting one's hair is a symbol of one's wish to move beyond concerns of the body and attain spiritual maturity.
- A Sikh should only bow his head to the Guru, and not to a barber.
- It is a highly visible symbol of membership of the group.
- It follows the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa.
* Kara – A Steel Bracelet:
- A symbol of restraint and gentility.
- A symbol that a Sikh is linked to the Guru.
It acts as a reminder that a Sikh should not do anything of which the Guru would not approve.
- A symbol of God having no beginning or end.
- A symbol of permanent bonding to the community—being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is "kari").
* Kanga – A Wooden Comb:
- This symbolises a clean mind and body; since it keeps the uncut hair neat and tidy.
- It symbolises the importance of looking after the body which God has created. This does not conflict with the Sikh's aim to move beyond bodily concerns; since the body is one's vehicle for enlightenment one should care for it appropriately.
* Kachha – Special Underwear:
This is a pair of breeches that must not come below the knee.
It was a particularly useful garment for Sikh warriors of the 18th and 19th centuries, being very suitable for warfare when riding a horse.
* Kirpan – A Ceremonial Sword:
This plays an important part in the initiation ceremony into the Khalsa when it is used to stir a mixture of sugar and water that the initiate must drink. The ceremony is called "Khandey di Pahul (Sikh initiation rite of the double edged sword).
There is no fixed style of Kirpan, and it can be anything from a few inches to three feet long. It is kept in a sheath and can be worn over or under the outside clothing.
The Kirpan can symbolise:
- Spirituality.
- The soldier part of the Soldier-Saints.
- Defence of good.
- Defence of the weak.
- The struggle against injustice.
- A metaphor for God.
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