Faith
Why Do I Wear A Turban?
by SAT KARTAR SINGH KHALSA
I wear a turban because, when I wrap it around and around and around my head each day, I remember God and my duty to live nobly.
I wear a turban because Guru Gobind Singh, our Tenth Master, asked me to.
I wear a turban because the Punj Pyarey, the Five Beloved Ones, stepped forward when the Guru took out his sword and asked for volunteers to offer their heads for service to humanity. I hear God's call in my heart to keep their example of courage alive.
I wear a turban to say to the world: I believe.
I wear a turban to say to other Sikhs: let us walk together in faith.
I wear a turban so that I will stand out and stand up for what I believe is right.
I wear a turban because God wants me to. It is part of God's will for me.
I wear a turban because it gives me blessing and protection.
I wear a turban because it is beautiful.
I wear a turban because it is my challenge, my blessing, my duty, my inspiration, my spiritual crown.
I wear a turban because, in a turban, I show to the world one of the faces of God.
I wear a turban.
December 10, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: Gurjender Singh (Maryland, U.S.A.), December 10, 2010, 8:48 AM.
Thank you, Sat Kartar ji, for reminding us of our duties vis-a-vis the turban.
2: Deep Singh Sethi (Dehra Dun, India), December 11, 2010, 6:40 AM.
I wear a turban because it means a lot to my parents. We all believe in God, but I have never seen him. For me, my parents mean God ... I wear my turban as a respect to my parents who are proud of it ...
3: Mohan Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada.), December 11, 2010, 12:50 PM.
Wrapping a turban everyday is our declaration that this head, this mind, is dedicated to our Creator. The turban becomes a flag of our consciousness as well as our crown of spiritual royalty. The turban tells others that we are different. By having a distinct appearance, Sikhs become accountable for their actions. Our distinct Sikh appearance not only makes us think more often about our conduct and its reflection upon a wider society, it also makes us reflect upon our own ideals and how they reflect the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. The turban is there to remind us of our connection to God. It frames us as devotees of God and gives us a way to live in gratitude for this gift of recognition. This responsibility of being recognized is also a way of keeping ourselves from self-destructive habits, such as smoking, drinking, etc.
4: Singh (India), December 12, 2010, 2:02 AM.
I wear a turban because, in a turban, I show to the world I am a Sikh - a distinct individual, a distinct culture, a distinct religion and a distinct belief system.
5: Harmanjeet Kaur, Balwinder Singh (Pusing, Ipoh, Malaysia), December 17, 2010, 2:00 AM.
Why do I wear a Turban?? I think the question itself is flawed. I think I wear a turban for the very basic and simple reason that is, it is the most natural thing to do for a Sikh of the Guru. It is just like asking someone why do you breathe. You cannot live without a turban if you are a True Sikh. You don't call yourself a Sikh without your Guru and you don't call yourself a True Sikh without your Turban to keep your hair intact in it. That's the way how our Gurus wanted the Sikhs to be ... as natural as possible, unpolluted by novel distractions and yet we are considered the most modern of all ...
6: Pavneet Kaur (Delhi, India), December 23, 2010, 1:42 AM.
Magnificent. Thank you for sharing this article. I do not wear a turban but as part of the Sikh youth of today, I have to admit a nicely tied turban is the most beautiful thing in the world. It enhances the appearance of a person and can make look anyone, anyone at all, so handsome!
7: RGX Singh (London, United Kingdom), December 28, 2010, 7:55 PM.
I wear a turban because I'm a Singh! Great article!
8: Guri Singh (Oakland, California, U.S.A.), January 14, 2011, 10:58 AM.
Love the photos.
9: Ravtej Singh (Jammu, J & K), February 11, 2011, 4:51 AM.
Thanks, Sat Kartar ji: we are proud to be Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh ji. This unique crown is a gift and a blessing!
10: Jaswinder Singh Gill (Chandigarh, Punjab), September 29, 2011, 6:38 AM.
From the time of the beginning of civilization, you can see people covering their heads for a variety of reasons. The same goes with Sikhs. The Gurus stressed the practice of cleanness, and that is why the kanga is included in the 5K's, and not the turban. This is because the turban was a given, already part of the normal dress code. However, wearing a turban without honouring the unshorn kesh is like wearing a sheath without a kirpan in it!