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It has been found that the maintenance of a similarity of appearance is essential, not only for the sake of uniformity but also for sustaining the enthusiasm of an organization. Such uniformity should be a living demonstration of the inspiration of the personality that created them. They symbolise the ideal and make it more real and meaningful to the followers.

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When Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa Panth in 1699, he ordered them to maintain the five articles of faith - Panj Kakaar. These articles of faith were not only necessary for the strength and uniformity of the organization, but also for the value they each had in their own right. Let us examine the significance of each symbol.

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Gurmat (the Guru’s teachings) is against all blind rituals that have no meaning. The 5 K’s were given to us by our Guru as our external identity and discipline.

By simply wearing any article of clothing will not make one a better person, but a person who is living an internal spiritual discipline, the outer discipline and uniform helps reinforce that commitment. We are all affiliated to someone or something, the 5Ks is our commitment to uphold the ideals of our Gurus, as well as encompassing practical and spiritual value, meaning and purpose.

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The unshorn hair (Kesh) is part of nature and God's system. Sikhs maintains long unshorn hair (‘Kesh’) as an act of acceptance of God's Will and living as nature intended, sustaining the individual in higher consciousness. The unshorn hair is regarded with the highest importance in the Sikh religion and is one of the basic requirements for a Sikh. Dishonouring one’s hair is one of the four Bajjar Kurehats (cardinal sins), which the Guru has told a Sikh never to commit.

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For the Sikhs, the turban is an Article of Faith. The turban is a mark of visual identity, which conveys royalty, grace and uniqueness. The turban represents complete commitment. It is made up of cotton fabric and is usually 3-6 meters long. Practising Sikh men and women both wear the turban. It is a spiritual crown reminding a Sikh that he or she sits on the throne of consciousness, committed to higher principles.

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The Dastaar (turban) is a very important part of Sikh religion. To Sikhs it is more than what is a crown to a king or queen. The Sikh Gurus showed a great respect to the turban. But there is a misconception that only men are required to wear the turban. The Guru has graced both men and women with the spiritual crown that not only protects the Kesh (unshorn hair) and Dasam Duaar (tenth spiritual Gate on the top of the forehead) but also gives the Khalsa (both male & female) a unique & distinct identity.

The first quote is from Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Guru Ji says:

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According to the Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada the Kakkaar or Article of Faith is a "Strapped Sword" (ਕਿ੍ਰਪਾਨ ਗਾਤਰੇ ਵਾਲੀ).

At all Amrit Sanchaars that follow Gur Maryada the Panj Piyaare state that wearing a Kirpan on string, cord or necklace is not acceptable as a Kakkaar. The Kirpan is a Shastar (protective weapon) and therefore wearing it on a string or cord is not practical. The Kirpan can be be of any size, however it is must be practical to use and not blunt.

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According to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada, there is no objection to wearing any kind of jewellery by an Amritdhari person provided one does not have to pierce his/her ear, nose or any part of the body to wear it.

ਚ) ਸਿੱਖ ਮਰਦ ਅਥਵਾ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਨੱਕ, ਕੰਨ, ਛੇਦਨਾ ਮਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੈ ।
"k. Piercing of nose or ears for wearing ornaments is forbidden for Sikh men and women."
(SRM: Ch. 10, Article 16)

Gurbani says:

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Desires/ Lust (Kaam)
Wearing the Kachhera, a Sikh is reminded to control his desire and only look at his own wife or husband. The Kachhera reminds us to self-control and to control the urges of Kaam.

Greed (Lobh)

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According to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada (Chapter 1, Article 1):

"Any human being who faithfully believes in
i. One Immortal Being,
ii. Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib,
iii. The Guru Granth Sahib,
iv. The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and
v. the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh"

In essence, one who is embarked upon the search for truth, is a Sikh.

The fifth Master, Guru Arjan Sahib Ji, says:

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The meaning of Hazooria:
Hazooria; hazoor: Being ready; being in presence.

There have been many maha-purkh (spiritual elevated persons) who have worn a hazooria, most of us don't know the real significance of the hazooria, and why we should wear it.

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Karra, one of the five kakars of the Sikhs, is neither an ornament nor a tool, but is a blessed gift from Lord, the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh ji.

Alas, this great gift to the humanity has been ignored or has not been appreciated in its true spirit.

Karra symbolises dignity, equality, independence and emancipation from slavery. It can be termed with certainty, whether it is known to the world or not that it is the prelude to the Charter of the UNO or foundation stone of the human rights' movements in the world.

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---------- WHAT IS A KESKI ----------
According to Mahan Kosh, Keski is ਛੋਟੀ ਪੱਗ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਕੇਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਖਆ ਲਈ ਪਿਹਰੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।. In other words, Keski is small turban (chhottee dastaar) that is kept on at all times and worn underneath the larger turban.

Length
A Keski is usually half the length of a full turban. It can be from 2 to 3 metres (A keski should have at least 3 wraps around the head).

Function

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According to the Panthic Sikh Rehit Maryada, published by the SGPC:
The five K's are:
I. Kesh (unshorn hair),
II. Kirpan {sheathed sword} (The length of the sword to be worn is not prescribed.,
III. Kachhehra (The Kachhehra (drawers like garment) may be made from any cloth, but its legs should not reach down to below the shins.),
IV. Kanga (comb),
V. Karha {steel bracelet} (The Karha should be of pure iron.)

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When Guru Gobind Singh Ji stood in front of the ocean of Sikhs holding the mighty curved sri sahib above his head asking for a head, he created an army called the Khalsa. Khalsa Akal Purakh Kee Fauj.

But this army of khalsa soldiers was not merely fighting the battle against Moghuls, Hill Rajas and thieves and bandits. These Khalsa warriors had the more important life of death struggle against the 5 enemies inside them to fight as well.

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KACHHERA/ KACHHA: One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh Ji at the Vaisakhi Amrit Sanchaar in 1699 and worn by all initiated Sikhs, called the Khalsa. Both males and females Sikhs wear very similar under-garments. This was one of five articles of faith, collectively called Kakkaars that form the external visible uniform.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE KACHHERA

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