Amritdhari

Amritdhari: A Sikh who has taken part in the ceremonial initiation into the Khalsa.

AMRITDHARI (AMRIT, lit. nectar, commonly SIKH sanctified initiatory water + dhan= practitioner) is one who has received baptismal vows of the KHALSA initiated by GURU Gobind SINGH (30 March 1699) and abides by them and by the panj kakari rahit, distinctive insignia introduced by the Guru on that day comprising five symbols each beginning with the GURMUKHI letter " oT" (pronounced "kakka") or its Roman equivalent "k". These are kes (long unshorn hair and beard), kangha (a comb to keep the hair tidy), Jenpan (a sword), kara ( a steel bracelet worn about the wrist), and kachh (short breeches worn by soldiers).

References

1. Sikh RAHIT MARYADA, AMRITSAR, 1975

2. Kapur Singh, Parasaraprasna. Amritsar, 1989

3. Sher Singh, Giani, ed.. Thoughts on Forms and Symbols in SIKHISM. LAHORE, 1927

4. Uberoi, J.P.S., "The Five Symbols of Sikhism," in Sikhism. PATIALA, 1969

5. Nripinder Singh, The Sikh Moral Tradition. Delhi, 1990