We all know that Sikh people do not part with their hair. Hence, most of us associate Sikh men with turbans that cover their hair. Usually referred to as ‘dastar’ or ‘pagg’, the necessity of wearing a turban came into being when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, asked Sikhs to cover their hair in public.

Ever since, the turban has been a quintessential part of any Sikh man’s identity. It may vary in length, colour and way of tying, but one thing that stands true for all Sikh men who wear it is that they will never part with it. Yet, the reasons for holding their turbans so close may vary across age groups and places.

We talked to Sikh men and asked them what their turban meant to them. Here’s what they had to say: 

It may mean different things to different people, but for Sikh men, their turban is like second skin. 

Design Credits: Gauri Saxena