Sikh Rahit Marayada

The Sikh Rahit Maryada is a code of conduct that outlines the principles and way of life for Sikhs, particularly those initiated into the Khalsa community. While the term rahit (meaning a distinctive way of living) was used by the first Guru, Nanak, formal guidelines began to appear in the 17th century. After Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699, these guidelines expanded to include new obligations, such as keeping uncut hair and abstaining from tobacco.1

These principles were recorded in texts called rahit-namas, with the earliest attributed to Chaupa Singh. The authoritative Sikh Rahit Maryada was codified in the mid-20th century. The code specifies four rites of passage: birth and naming, marriage (anand karaj), initiation into the Khalsa (amrit sanskar), and funeral ceremonies. The initiation rite involves drinking amrit (nectar) and adhering to specific prohibitions, including not cutting one's hair, avoiding halal meat, abstaining from extramarital sexual relations, and not using tobacco.12