KHALSA PANTH April 14, 1699 - Birth of the Panth This day witnessed the birth of Khalsa Panth, the brotherhood of the Sikh religion, in Northern India in accordance with the Nanakshahi calendar.      The Khalsa is the collective body of all initiated Sikhs represented by the five beloved-ones and can be called the Guru Panth, the embodiment of the Guru and the final temporal Guru/leader of the Sikhs.   The word Khalsa is that of being "Pure/Genuine.” The Khalsa is also called the nation of the Sikhs.   The Khalsa was inaugurated on March 30, 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.   From then on the temporal leadership of the Sikhs was passed on to the Khalsa with the bestowed title of "Guru Panth" and spiritual leadership was passed on to the Guru Granth Sahib with the Khalsa being responsible for all executive, military and civil authority in the Sikh society.   The Sikhs of the Khalsa can be identified with the given Five Ks and titles of Singh and Kaur, granted after the disciple has been baptized into the order of the Khalsa.   The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh at an event that coincided with the Vaisakhi day created the Khalsa in the year 1699 A.D at Kesgarh, in Anandpur Sahib ordained that every Sikh becomes Amritdhari “[Having taken Amrit]” and follow the Five Ks; which are not merely symbols but display commitment to the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev like a uniform of an organization.   A Sikh male at being initiated into the Khalsa is titled Singh meaning “Lion” and a female is entitled Kaur meaning “Princess”. From then on they are commonly referred to as Amritdhari (having taken Amrit).   The Khalsa is considered the pinnacle of Sikhism. The Khalsa is expected to perform no ritual and to believe in no superstition of any kind but only believe in one God who is the Master and the Protector of all, the only Creator and Destroyer. Click on the following links to see further details: PROFILE     CROSSWORD     QUIZ     VIDEOS