Darbar Khalsa on Dussehra: what the day means in the Sikh calendar

The SGPC's Nanakshahi calendar marks Dussehra as Darbar Khalsa, a day when the Khalsa gathers in darbar. While Dussehra is a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of Rama over Ravana, in the Sikh tradition the day is kept in its own way, as a gathering of the Khalsa and an occasion to honour the shastar, the weapons that the Gurus gave the Khalsa to defend the weak.

The Khalsa in darbar

In the eighteenth century, when the Khalsa lived as fugitives and fought for survival, its bands came together at set times of the year to meet, to take decisions as the Sarbat Khalsa and to plan. Vaisakhi and Diwali at Amritsar were the best known of these gatherings. Festival days, when people were on the move in any case, allowed the scattered jathas to meet. A darbar of the Khalsa on such a day is a reminder of a community that governed itself in the presence of the Guru.

The tradition at Hazur Sahib

At Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji spent his last days, Dussehra is kept with a great procession in which the Takht's historic weapons are carried out and displayed, and the Nihang Singhs and sangat take part. Many Nihang Singh dals hold their own gatherings and displays of gatka on the day.

A Sikh reading of the day

The Gurus taught that victory over evil begins with victory over the five thieves within: lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride. Katha on the day often turns to this inner meaning.

How the day is observed

Sangats gather for kirtan, katha and Ardas, and in some places the shastar are honoured.