Sikha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Part of a series on Hinduism |
|
 |
|
| History · Deities | |
| Denominations · Mythology | |
| Beliefs & practices | |
|---|---|
| Reincarnation · Moksha | |
| Karma · Puja · Maya | |
| Samsara · Dharma | |
| Vedanta · | |
| Yoga · Ayurveda | |
| Yuga · Vegetarianism | |
| Bhakti | |
| Scriptures | |
| Upanishads · Vedas | |
| Brahmana · Bhagavad Gita | |
| Ramayana · Mahabharata | |
| Purana · Aranyaka | |
| Shikshapatri · Vachanamrut | |
| Related topics | |
| Dharmic Religions · | |
| Hinduism by country | |
| Leaders · Devasthana | |
| Caste system · Mantra | |
| Glossary · Hindu festivals | |
| Vigraha · Criticism | |
|
|
|
The sikha or shikha is a long tuft of hair left on top or on the back of the shaven head of a male Orthodox Hindu or Sanyasi.
Traditionally, Hindu men shave off all their hair as a child in a sanskara or ritual known as the Mundan ceremony. A lock of hair is left at the crown (Brahmarandhra). Unlike most other eastern cultures (including Ancient Egypt) where a coming-of-age ceremony removed childhood locks of hair similar to the sikha (e.g. a forelock or pigtails in China, a top-knot in Thailand, a side-lock in Egypt etc) in India this pre-pubescent hairstyle is left to grow throughout the man's life, though usually only the most orthodox religious men will continue this hairstyle.
The sikha is tied back or knotted to perform religious rites. Only funerals and death anniversaries are performed with tuft untied or with dishevelled hair. Dishevelled hair is considered inauspicious, and represents times of great sorrow or calamity. In Hindu scripture, the goddess Draupadi took an oath in the assembly of the Kurus after she was molested by Dussasana that she would remain with dishevelled hair until the enemies were properly revenged.
The sikha reportedly signifies one-pointed (ekanta) focus on a spiritual goal, and devotion to God. It is also said that the sikha allows God to easily pull one to paradise. According to Smriti Shastrasa it is mandatory for all Hindus to keep sikha and the first three twice-born or Dwija castes to wear Yajnopavita or Janeu or Paita (sacred thread).[citation needed] Sikha is an identification sign of all Hindus, while the Yajnopavita is the sign of the twice-borns.
[edit] External links
- [1] A deity with sikha from Nevali Cori.
- [2] A boy with sikha, sculpture, Notre Dame, France.
- [3] A Vaishnava with sikha.
![[1]](http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/connections/img/god-sikha.jpg){kind=link}
![[2]](http://www.vnn.org/world/WD9903/sikha2.gif){kind=link}
![[3]](http://www.harekrsna.com/practice/4regs/sikha.gif){kind=link}