Khalsa

The Khalsa is the community of initiated Sikhs, representing the collective body of baptized Sikhs. It was established by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, as a way to spiritually and militarily unify the Sikh community. Members of the Khalsa, known as Khalsa Sikhs, follow a distinct code of conduct and wear the Five Ks, which are five articles of faith, including Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (a steel bracelet), Kanga (a wooden comb), Kachera (cotton undergarments), and Kirpan (a ceremonial sword). The creation of the Khalsa took place during the Vaisakhi festival in 1699.