Analyzing the Cultural Significance of Amrit Sanchar in Sikhism

This essay delves into the cultural significance of Amrit Sanchar, a vital initiation ceremony within the Sikh community. It explores the ritual's anthropological roots, its importance in shaping Sikh identity, and its role in fostering a sense of belonging and spiritual consciousness. The essay highlights the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, performed in a Gurudwara, involving the preparation of Amrit (Nectar) by five beloved followers and the devotee's commitment to the Khalsa vows, including wearing the five Ks. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences to promote a culturally safe environment, reduce ethnocentric behavior, and appreciate the diversity that enriches the human race. The essay concludes by advocating for intercultural activities to foster a better understanding of various cultures and promote peaceful coexistence.

Running head: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF AMRIT SANCHAR
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF AMRIT SANCHAR
Name of the Student
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Author Note

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The basis of anthropology lies in understanding the varied cultures across human
societies. The more diverse a region is in terms of its ethnicity and cultural diversity, the greater
is its chance of rich cultural quality. The countries with diverse cultural population are more
tolerant and socially healthy as compared to monocultures. Culturally diverse places also refer to
places that promote or encourage mutual respect and bonding. The restriction of diversity to
certain regions of the world has been eliminated with globalisation and its impact has been
changing the social scenario of the world. The world now is a culturally diverse place due to the
boon of globalization but this has led to the conflicts since the practices and beliefs are
contrasting to a great extent. It is important to create opportunities for creating culturally safe
places and promoting educative sessions to grow cross cultural diversity.
The cultural diversity is one of the most intriguing factors in human history. The diversity
among various races, have evolved over years of practice. The various religious and social
beliefs, cultural practices, and religious orientations have developed owing to their
anthropological and historical origin. The ethnic origin of a community gives an identity to the
group of individuals who share a common belief system and practice similar rituals as part of
their social lives. The importance to understand different cultures, allow us to have an insight
into the cultural beliefs and thoughts that are diverse from our own and help us to find the
similarities among the cultures.
Belonging from one of the culturally diverse ethnic community, the Sikhs, I will try to
analyse the cultural diversity of my community by evaluating one of the cultural practices of
baptism or initiation of an individual into our community. The practice is commonly known as
“Amrit Sanchar” or “Amrit Prachar”. The practice of the ritual is a relevant among other

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communities as well with different rituals and is an important part of any community since this
mark the inception of an individual into a certain community.
The Amrit Sanchar ceremony is generally performed in the local Gurudwara (the
religious centre of the Sikhs) and involves several ritualistic practices that are performed. The
rituals will be discussed in detail to understand the concept behind the ritual. It is necessary to
understand the philosophy that gives birth to such rituals and the importance of the rituals in the
community.
The Sikh religion has several sects but is majorly classified as Sahajdharis and
Amritdharis. The Amritdharis are referred to those who have been baptized under the vows of
the Khalsa and have taken the Amrit or the Nectar water. The Amritdhari is an amalgamation of
two words that refer to the Amrit or the nectar and Dhari refers to the practitioner or one who
follows the vows. The Amritdharis follow the vows of the Khalsa brotherhood. Once an
Amritdhari, an individual follows the certain principles as laid down in the holy book the “Guru
Granth Sahib”. The Amritdharis have a decorative physical appearance and follow the rules of
wearing the five Ks that include the Kesh or the long grown hair, the Kangha or a comb to keep
the hair tidy, the Kaccha, short underwear; a Kripan a small sword; and a Kara a metal bracelet.
This is five symbolic elements that are worn by the Amritdharis to identify their beliefs and
cultural diversity.
However the physical appearance is not just to create a separate identity, but in order to
become an Amritdhari, an individual has to perform a set of rituals in order to inculcate the
beliefs of the cult. The ritual initiates with Amrit Sanchar and is the main act of baptism in the
Sikh community. This is also referred to as Khanda-ki-Phul and was initiated by the Tenth Guru,

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Guru Govind Singh. This is generally performed during Baishaki, the annual festival of the Sikh
community. The ritual is performed in the presence of Five Beloved followers or the Paanj
Pyares who are representation of the first five disciples of the Tenth Guru. The ritual is initiated
by taking a bath in the holy water and wearing the Five Kakas and the vows is taken in presence
of the Guru Granth Sahib which is regarded as the Eleventh Guru of the community. The
individual then takes the vow to lead a righteous life according to the faith. The preparation of
the Amrit is initiated by the Paanj Pyares which resembles the Nectar. The Amrit is prepared
using holy water in a steel or iron cauldron and the mixture is mixed with Patashas or sugar
crystals, and stirred with the Kandhe or the double sword. The hymns are recited from the Guru
Granth Sahib and the mixture is prepared till the hymns are completely recited. This creates the
Amritdhara or the Nectar which is used to initiate the ritual of baptism. Five handful of this
nectar is offered to the individual to drink and consecutive five handfuls of the nectar is sprinkled
in the hair and the eyes of the devotee who is initiating himself in the faith or the Paanth. This
ritual is called the Amrit Chhakhna which initiates the life of an Amritdhari who takes a vow to
lead his life in the order of the Paanth and live up to its vows.
The necessity of the ritual is symbolic to create a sense of feeling in the individual. The
Amritdharis are the upholders of the faith and have cultural diversity in their appearance and
practice. The importance of the ritual cannot be understood completely from a foreigner’s
perspective. The ritual is the just the spiritual manifestation and is required in order create a
sense of belief and longing. This gives a sense on attachment and pride to the individual and
motivates them to follow the principal of righteousness. The rituals are designed to create a stage
wise upliftment of moral conscience which helps an individual to initiate the spiritual
consciousness.

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The importance of the understanding the cultural differences in creating a culturally safe
environment cannot be undermined. Ethnocentric behaviour is reduced with proper
understanding of the cultural diversity. Any individual observing the Amritsanchar ritual for the
first time might find it mysterious or irrelevant without knowing the actual philosophy behind it.
The cultural relativism comes into play in understanding various cultures and respecting the
traditions and values that are attached with a community. The various rituals performed during
the Amritsanchar might raise doubts and questions which are obvious and cultural relativism
might help to some extent in reducing this conflict.
The world has various communities that have contributed equally to humanity and the
coexistence of these communities is the way to the betterment of the society. The global issues in
intercultural conflicts can be addressed through exposure derived from various cultural practices.
It is therefore necessary to implement field trips and intercultural activities to create an
atmosphere where healthy exchange of ideas and cultural practices is followed. This will
eventually lead to a better understanding of the world around us by giving us an insight into the
varied diversity that enriches the human race in this planet.