What Is a Kara or Kakar Bangle?

3 Kakkars: Kara, Kanga and Kirpann
3 Kakkars: Kara, Kanga and Kirpann.

Harisingh / CC ASA 3.0U

The kara is a steel or iron bangle worn on the wrist and is one of five kakar, the articles of faith required to be worn by the Amritdhari Sikh, a Sikh who has been initiated into the order of Khalsa.

About the Kara

  • The kara is a bracelet made of pure steel or iron.
  • The kara originated as a protective ring to guard the sword arm of the Khalsa warrior. Some Sikhs consider the kara as a reminder having a similar significance to a wedding ring, or a slave bracelet, which serves as an unbreakable bond binding them to the service of the Guru.
  • The kara is to be worn on the body by the Amritdhari at all times.

Pronunciation

ka da

Alternate Spellings

karra

Format
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Your Citation
Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "What Is a Kara or Kakar Bangle?" Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/kara-kakar-sikh-bangle-2993051. Khalsa, Sukhmandir. (2023, April 5). What Is a Kara or Kakar Bangle? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/kara-kakar-sikh-bangle-2993051 Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "What Is a Kara or Kakar Bangle?" Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/kara-kakar-sikh-bangle-2993051 (accessed March 29, 2024).