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Summary of Question:	Bana (Khalsa Dress)
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Thursday, 2/20/2003 3:35 PM MST

wjkk wjkf... sorry about asking so many questions, but your site and moderators have been very inspiring.

This summer I am travelling from Uk to Anandpur Sahib to recieve Khanda Pahul da Amrit and give my head to Guru Gobind Singh Ji and adopt the Khalsa as my life.

I am 17 years old at the moment. In September I will be going to University in London.

I want to wear "Bana" (Khalsa dress)... like the American Sikhs wear. American Sikhs, Nihungs and other Khalse which wear their full Bana look like royality, radiants, and true Saint Soldiers.

I know your inner self matters alot as well. My family sometimes think my views are fanatic and that the 5 Kakkaars alone are the Bana and no external dress or uniform is needed.

But I feel strongly that I wish to sacrifice my mind, body and soul... i dont wish to wear clothes for me but for my Guru and feel Guru Ji more.

Could you please give a low down of the Bana please...

So obviously 'dastaar'... then a chowla (top) - how many 'kalian' or segments does it have on the ends? is the bottoms or pajama skin tight? according to traditional bana would you wear a waist coat, coat or jumper on top or not? do you wear something around the waist band?

could please give a nice full description of the Bana (dress) please....

am i wrong? am i being a fundamentalist? am i making a fool of myself? are my family right?

thank you very much

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal. Congratulations on your plans to become AMritdhari. You are not being wrong, a fundamentalist or a fool. Your family is not going to university with you, are they? Being Khalsa is a personal decision, not a group decision. You can stick to your principles and still be their son, can you not? While you might never agree between you, it doesn't mean you still can't love and respect each other, right? We are not born to live our lives for our parents. Our parents bear us so that we might live our lives as Guru planned. Remind them of this.

You are right that bana is very regal looking. It is part of the identity. I will say there are times when jeans and a t-shirt are far more practical, such as housecleaning or working on your car! I cannot answer your very specific questions; others might be able to. However, I highly recommend you ask the granthis in Anandpur Sahib these questions, for they are in bana daily. It is far easier to get bana supplies in India than anywhere else, and the granthis should be able to give you useful pointers on this. You might consider purchasing bana in dark blue as well as white, so that you have some options. The dark blue will make you look like a soldier more, but it is still Guru's bana. Guru ang sang,
-DKK