Kaccha - one of the five articles of faith for the Sikhs

Kachera/Kaccha: Undershorts/undergarment which looks like boxer shorts.

One of the five Sikh articles of faith, given as gifts of love by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 and worn by all baptized Sikh, called the Khalsa. Both males and females Sikhs wear very similar under-garments. This was one of five articles of faith, collectively called Kakars, that form the external visible symbols to clearly and outwardly display one's commitment and dedication to the order (Hukam) of the tenth master. A Sikh (IPA: [siːk] or [sɪk]; Punjabi: , , IPA: [sɪk. ... An artists impression of Guru Gobind Singh Guru Gobind Singh (Punjabi: )(Born in Patna, Bihar, India, on December 22, 1666 as Gobind Rai – October 7, 1708, Nanded, Maharashtra, India) was the tenth and last of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and became Guru on November 11, 1675 following in... Traditional fervour and gaiety mark the celebrations of Baisakhi, which stands for the dawn of a new year in north India. ... The Amrit Sanskar Ceremony Amrit Sanskar or Amrit Sanchar or the Amrit ceremony is the Sikh ceremony of initiation or baptism. ... Events January 26 - Treaty of Karlowitz signed March 30 - the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa. ... Khalsa which means Pure is the name given by Guru Gobind Singh to all Sikhs who have been baptised or initiated by taking Amrit in ceremony called Amrit Sanchar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

This Kakar was given by Guru Gobind Singh to remind his Sikhs that they should control their sexual desire, Kam (lust). The Kacha is a long underwear that comes to just above the knees and gives a feeling of dignity, modesty and honour to the person who wears this garment. The garment is usually made from white light-weight cotton material. It served to cover the person's private parts as well as remind Sikhs of the Guru's message to think of the opposite sex as they would think of their other family members and not as objects. The Kaccha is secured and tied with a "nala" (drawstring). This serves as another reminder that when one is untying the drawstring one is given time to think about what one is about to do. The Guru reminds us how, while remembering the Lord, sexual desire can be overcome, thus: The lower part of the Bashgul Valley of Nurestan (Afghanistan) is known as Kam. ... Lust is any intense desire or craving, usually sexual, although it is also common to speak of a lust for life, lust for blood (bloodlust for short), or a lust for power or other goals. ...

"Through the Kind and Compassionate True Guru, I have met the Lord; I have conquered sexual desire, anger and greed." (SGGS page 81) Guru Granth Sahib (Granth is Punjabi for book, Sahib is Hindi meaning master, from Arabic, meaning companion, friend, owner, or master) or Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or SGGS for short, is more than a holy book of the Sikhs. ...

The Kacha is the Guru's gift and it reminds the Sikhs of the Guru's message regarding the control of the Five Evils, especially lust. Further, this garment allows the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction. It serves its purpose efficiently and effectively and is easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other under-garments of the day, like the dhoti, etc. FIVE EVILS or five thieves or pancadokh or panj vikar as they are referred to in Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, are, according to Sikhism, the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. ... The Veshti or Panche is the male clothing of south India. ...

Gurbani reminds the Sikh to renounce worldly desire and seek the sanctuary of the Lord thus: "Renouncing sexual desire, anger, flattery and slander, they enter the Sanctuary of God." (SGGS page 469) Sikh Holy Texts Bani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to various sections of the Holy Text that appears in their several Holy Books The important Banis are listed below: Japji Sahib 1. ... Guru Granth Sahib (Granth is Punjabi for book, Sahib is Hindi meaning master, from Arabic, meaning companion, friend, owner, or master) or Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or SGGS for short, is more than a holy book of the Sikhs. ...