Turban and Hair
A Sikh turban is one of the most recognisable sights in the world. But why do Sikhs wear turbans, and why do they keep their hair uncut? Let’s find out what the Kesh and the Dastar mean, and how Sikhs of all ages look after them.
At a glance
🌿 Why Sikhs keep their hair uncut (Kesh)
Kesh means uncut hair. It is one of the Five Ks, the five articles of faith given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji when he created the Khalsa in 1699.
Sikhs believe that our bodies, including our hair, are a gift from God. Keeping the hair as God made it is a way of accepting God’s creation and living in harmony with God’s will (Hukam). All ten Gurus kept their hair uncut.
Kesh is kept by Sikh men, women and children alike. It covers all the hair of the body, including the beard and eyebrows.
👳 The Dastar: what the turban means
The Sikh turban is called a Dastar (a respectful Persian word) or, in everyday Punjabi, a Pagg or Pagri. It covers and protects the uncut hair and keeps it clean and tidy.
In the time of the Gurus, only kings and important people were allowed to wear turbans. Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked every Sikh to wear one, showing that everyone is equal and that every Sikh should be as dignified as a king or queen.
- Respect
- Covering the head shows love and respect for God and the Guru.
- Equality
- Rich or poor, every Sikh may wear the turban of a king.
- Identity
- A Sikh can be recognised anywhere, so others know they can ask a Sikh for help.
- Courage
- Wearing a turban proudly means standing up for what is right.
👩 Sikh women and turbans
Sikh women keep their hair uncut too. Many women cover their hair with a Chunni, a long, light scarf, and many others wear a Dastar just like men.
In Sikhi, women and men are equal, so a woman may choose to wear a turban, and many Amritdhari women (women who have taken Amrit) do. Women who wear a turban sometimes tie a smaller one called a Keski, or a full Dumalla.
🧒 Children: the Joora and the Patka
Young Sikh children usually tie their long hair into a neat bun on top of the head called a Joora. It is often covered with a small cloth called a rumal.
Many boys then wear a Patka, a square of cloth tied over the Joora. It is quick to tie and stays in place for school, play and sport. As they grow older, many boys learn to tie a full turban, often with help from a parent or older brother. Some families celebrate a child’s first turban with a special ceremony called Dastar Bandi.
🪮 The Kanga and caring for the hair
The Kanga is a small wooden comb, another of the Five Ks. Sikhs keep it in their hair, tucked into the Joora.
Sikhs comb their hair at least twice a day with the Kanga, and wash it regularly. Looking after the hair reminds Sikhs to keep both their bodies and their minds clean and in good order.
🎀 Sikh turban styles
There is no single way to tie a turban. Styles depend on family, region, age and personal taste. A full turban is usually made from about 5 to 7 metres of cloth. Here are some well-known styles:
- Dumalla
- A large, rounded turban made from a long cloth, often wrapped over a smaller one. It is traditional for Nihang Sikhs and is worn by many Amritdhari men, women and children.
- Pagg / Pagri
- The everyday Punjabi name for a turban. Most Pagg styles have a neat, pointed shape at the front.
- Patiala shahi
- A wide, tall and very neat style that became popular in the royal state of Patiala.
- Morni
- A popular style in Punjab with a sharp, peaked front, often worn by young men.
- Patka
- A square cloth tied over the Joora, worn mostly by boys and for sport.
- Keski
- A smaller, simple turban, worn on its own or under a larger turban. Many Sikh women wear a Keski.
🎨 Turban colours
Turban colours have no fixed religious meaning. Sikhs can wear any colour they like, and many choose a colour to match their clothes or simply because they like it.
Some colours are traditional. Kesri (saffron or orange) and blue are linked with the Khalsa and are often worn on Gurpurabs and at Vaisakhi. Many grooms wear red or pink at weddings, and some people wear white or lighter colours at sad occasions such as funerals. These are customs, not rules.
🧔 Beards
Because Kesh includes all the hair of the body, Sikh men keep their beards uncut.
Some men let their beard flow naturally (sometimes called an open or khulla beard). Others tie, roll or tuck it neatly under the chin, sometimes using a thin net or a little fixing gel. Both are common, and many Amritdhari Sikhs keep their beard open.
🤝 Respecting the turban
For a Sikh, the turban is precious, a little like a crown. You should never touch, pull or remove someone’s turban, even as a joke. Knocking off a turban is deeply hurtful and disrespectful.
In the UK, the law recognises how important the turban is. Since 1976, turbaned Sikhs have not had to wear a motorcycle helmet, and the law also exempts them from wearing safety helmets in most workplaces, such as building sites. Many Sikh soldiers, police officers and doctors wear their turbans proudly at work.
❓ Questions people ask
Why do Sikhs wear turbans?
Sikhs wear a turban (Dastar) to cover and protect their uncut hair, which they keep as a gift from God. Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked all Sikhs to wear one as a sign of respect, equality, identity and courage. In the Gurus’ time only kings wore turbans, so the turban shows that every Sikh is equal.
Why do Sikhs not cut their hair?
Sikhs keep their hair uncut (Kesh) to accept the body as God made it. Kesh is one of the Five Ks, and all ten Gurus kept their hair uncut. Sikh men, women and children all keep Kesh.
Can Sikhs cut their hair?
According to the Sikh code of conduct, Sikhs should not cut or remove any hair from the body, and for Sikhs who have taken Amrit it is one of the four serious breaches (kurehats). Some people from Sikh families do cut their hair, but keeping Kesh is part of the Sikh faith.
Why do Sikhs cover their hair?
Covering the head is a sign of respect for God and the Guru, and it keeps long, uncut hair clean and tidy. Men usually wear a turban or Patka, and women wear a Chunni or a turban. Everyone, Sikh or not, covers their head inside a Gurdwara.
What is the Sikh turban called?
The respectful name is Dastar. In everyday Punjabi it is called a Pagg or Pagri. Well-known turban styles include the Dumalla, Patiala shahi, Morni and Keski, and young boys often wear a smaller Patka.
Do turban colours have a meaning?
Turban colours have no fixed religious meaning, and Sikhs can wear any colour. Kesri (saffron) and blue are traditional colours of the Khalsa and are often worn on special days. Red or pink is popular at weddings, and lighter colours are often worn at funerals.
Do Sikh women wear turbans?
Yes, many do. Sikh women keep uncut hair too, and many cover it with a Dastar, a Keski or a Dumalla. Others wear a Chunni (scarf). In Sikhi women and men are equal, so either choice is respected.
What are the Sikh rules about beards?
Kesh includes all body hair, so Sikh men keep their beards uncut. Some keep the beard open and flowing, while others tie or roll it neatly under the chin. Both are common.