Celebrate Sikh Identity April 13th International Turban Day

International Turban Day, observed annually on April 13^th since 2004, is an occasion that celebrates Sikh Identity. The event began to raise awareness about the distinct appearance of Sikhs who love and respect principles of faith which obligate keeping hair uncut and covered with a turban.

Throughout human history turbans have been worn all around the world. The turban often could be worn only by royalty and represented the high rank and status of the wearer. Wearing of the Sikh turban is a tradition that dates back to the inception of an ideology that One creator is present in all of creation. Created beings are instilled with the divine light of their creator and therefore all of humanity shares equal status. The Sikh turban represents a nobility of consciousness that symbolizes unity, equality, and freedom from oppression.

The distinctive Sikh turban is known traditionally as Dastaar, Dumalla, or Pagri. Various Sikh Turban styles and colors may represent sentiments of faith, affiliation with like-minded souls, representative of a region, or be a part of any festive occasion. 

Celebrate International Turban Day with your favorite style and color of turban. A really fun thing to do on Turban Day is to tie a turban on the head of friends who are not Sikhs, and give them the experience of wearing the equivalent of a crown that is Sikh consciousness for a day.

Some quotes from Sikhs around the world on “What my turban means to me…”

“For Sikhs, the Turban is not only a piece of cloth. It’s a matter of honor and pride . With unshorn hair, it’s a part of the Sikh identity. It represents a Sikh's good character and high moral values.”
—Arvinder Pal Singh

“My turban is a symbolic representation of my Sikh values of honesty, compassion, generosity, humility, integrity, service, and spirituality which I carry on a daily basis on my shoulders.” 
—Gurdyal Singh Kalsi

"For me the turban is my Guru's Blessing and Crown My Guru Gifted us. My turban also brings responsibility I carry in public to alway be at my best behaviour. As the Guru's word the Guru's Sikh will be distinguished in a crowd of thousands.”
—Amandeep Saini

"Turban is Faith, Freedom and Fortune for me."
—Dr Satpal Singh (photo above)

Follow International #TurbanDay on SikhNet Facebook or Instagram pages.

Learn about History of The Sikh Turban and  Celebrating Sikh Turban Styles. 

Turban Adventure My turban is having one of those days; in an awkward phase, tied ten different ways, causing eyebrows to raise and eyeballs to gaze. My turban is proof that persistence pays. My turban is a celestial smile, beaming for miles and miles; an eternal style, not some casual trial by a fickle child. My turban is always worth my while. My turban is a spiritual facelift, suave and swift; a fabric forklift, fit to uplift over every rift. My turban is Guru Gobind Singh’s gift. My turban is a cool, sacred sheet, wrapped pleat by pleat, nice and neat; a warm, winding street, leading me to the Guru’s feet. My turban is now complete. Harmohanjit Singh Pandher Burnaby, BC, Canada