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Why do many Indian men (other

than Sikh) wear a kada (a steel
bangle)?
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All related (47) Recommended

The Wise One · Follow

Updated 1y

I am Hindu and I wear kada as keeping a metal with

you is thought to be good for you and the truth is
wearing a kada was derived from Hinduism.If you
don't know Hindu men mainly the Savaras are
supposed to carry a weapon too but now a days it
is not possible as most of us Hindus don't follow
any such rules due the stupid modernity, casteism
is bad propaganda and etc. Every savarna is also
supposed to wear a Janeu not only the Brahmins.
Upvote · 46 5

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Upvote · 53

Jagjit Bhatia · Follow

I have been a Sikh my entire life (18 years). Avid
student of the Guru. · 7y

This is also a bit of a response to Ameya Rao.

First off, Ameya is right to some extent. The kada

has a lot of historical significance even past that of
Sikhs and the symbol is not exclusive only to Sikhs.
In fact, there are other symbols in our religion that
are not exclusive to it. The Khanda (by this I mean
the sword in the center of the Khanda) was a
weapon commonly used by Rajputs to defend their
lands. The idea of keeping Kesh (the uncut hair) is
also not exclusive to Sikhs. Even in the Bible,
there’s the famous story of
Continue Samson who derived his
Reading
powers from his uncut hair. Similarly, the Ka
Upvote · 122 15

Anonymous
6y

I am a non-sikh woman and I wear a Kada.

There are quite a few reasons for it.

I got it from Bangla Sahib as a memory because I

loved that place and the vibe there. Of course I love
the way it looks as well. It somehow makes me feel
good. And I also have a weird reason.. it is heavier
and stronger than most ornament and I am sure it
would be quite useful to break someone's nose in
case I need it to. A girl needs something for
protection you see?
Upvote · 85 7

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Upvote · 28

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Drashtaa · Follow
Lives in Earth (1999–present) · Updated 1y

In Sanatana culture there was a tradition of wearing

pancha karna made of steel/iron it flourished in
further different subcultures in different ways.
These 5 karnas are worn by males in past times:

1.On nose(rarely seen today), worn between nose

unlike of women on one side of nose in India

2.On ears, this tradition is mostly present in Hindus,

naming it as karna bheda

3.On neck(rare),thick and wider ,can be a chain like.

4.On hands, survived in some punjabis, haryanvis,

pahadis and marathis.

5.On foot(not paayal), today seen only during

childhood, in pahadi culture
Continue it is called dhaagul and
Reading
some ks
Upvote · 51 6 4

Gokul M.C. · Follow

Lives in India · 8y

Kada's and armlets were not exclusive to the Sikhs,

they were a very important accessory to most
warriors. A kada minimizes the injury caused to an
arm in a sword fight. It was used as a protective
gear. They now wear it as a part of tradition and as
fashion.
Upvote · 27 3

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Upvote · 50

Hemant Naidu · Follow

Lives in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India · 3y

While many answers here touch upon historical and

contemporary reasons, none mentions the key
philosophical reason for wearing a Kada.

This has to do with the theory of Karma. A Kada,

often ordained by touching the feet of a Deity,
signifies the dedication of Karma and Karma-Phala
to the said Deity. Thus, the wearer of a Kada is
comiiting to act (hand being a sambol of the
capacity to act) for the Deity and also make her
(the Deity) owner of the results.

This surrender of action and result to God

(symbolized by Deity for simplicity)
Continue Reading is also very well
explained by The Bhawat Geeta through Karma Y
Upvote · 15 1

Sounak Saha · Follow

Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science
Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University
(SPPU) (Graduated 2018) · 4y

It's not just Sikhs who wear Kara . Kara is worn by

Hindus all across India . When someone visits a
temple they touch the Kara on the Deity's feet and
wear it as a blessing , some wear it to remind
themselves about their duties in life , some wear
them as a relic or gift from a place or family . I have
a lot of Muslim friends as well who wear a Kara . Its
also a fashion statement nowadays .
Upvote · 22 5

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Upvote · 600

Swadesh Taneja · Follow

Former Associate Professor Life Sciences (1986–
2006) · 8y

Many Hindus wear a kada and celebrate Sikh

festivals also.
Upvote · 5 3

Palak Desai · Follow

Indian living in Canada who loves to experience
different cultures · 6y

A common tradition among North Indian men. Has

historical and cultural significance for us in India. It
is not exclusive to only Punjab and Delhi and some
users suggested. I am from Gujarat and we have
our own version of Kada.

Every Sikhs puts it on religiously while many North

Indians put it on as an accessory.

Popular Gujarati Kada

Continue Reading

Upvote · 20 3

Dwarkesh Pandya · Follow

Works at Aishwarya College · 5y

Kada is basically a wrought iron wristband that is

meant for safety of the hand carrying the sword.
Besides this, it can be used as a final weapon by
the warriors in past even if they lose or fell their
sword in a dual, they can defend themselves using
it as duster knuckles
Upvote · 5
Popular Rajasthani Kada
Sagar Thakur · Follow
4y

In Sanatan Dharma (hinduism ) kada,

bangles,kundals (earings)and other jewellery are
worn from thousands of years for ayurvedic
reasons by both men and women it is mentioned in
Vedas and other religious books .now I will not say
anything about other religion because we believe in
“vasudev kutumbkam “. vande mataram
Upvote · 2

Abhishek Pandey · Follow

Self employed · 6y

Punjabi (specifically Sikhs) men wearthis as a part

of 5K's of their religion, that identify a Sikh and is
meant to represent the belief of 'totality of God' of
Sikhism. It is a simple metallic band with no flashy
artwork. This is what we call bangles, and Indian
men do notwear them.

The kara is to constantly remind the Sikhdisciple to

do God's
Then work,
there is thea constant
one I put reminder
on. of the Sikh's
mission on this earth and Reading
Continue that he or she must carry
out righteous and true deeds and actions, keeping
with the advice
Upvote · 17 given by the1Guru. The Kara is a
symbol of unbreakable attachment and
commitment
Ronald to God. · Follow
Mathew
A knowledge-mongerer · 8y

They just like to wear it, my cousin does and we are

christians.
Upvote · 2 1

Sumit Kr Mishra · Follow

Works at Tata Steel Management Development
Centre · Updated 5y

Religions come after civilizations and take things

from the region, for eg. circumcision of males in all
abrahamic religions is revered since it was a
practice in the middle east the birthplace of all
abrahamic faiths. Similarly north Indians prior
Sikhism used to wear a bangle, some as a sort of
status symbol, some as per their religious beliefs
like some kind of a talisman. Sikhism made it a
religious thing as stated by their tenth and last guru
to keep five Ks, kada/kara or iron/steel bangle being
one of the Ks. ItsContinue
a reminder of the religious
Reading
sacrifices
Hope this they made and their will power much
helped.
Upvote · 10

Ranvir Singh · Follow

Law Enforcement Officer. · 5y

Sikhs wear kada due to customery traditions and

the reasons well known. People might get
impressed by the way Sikhs wear these and see
this as an article of physical support other than also
looking it as an article of ornament.
Upvote · 4

Can Non Sikh wear Karas (steel bangles)

that Sikh men and women traditionally
wear? Is it intrinsically a Sikh
tradition? — Related

Navdeep Gill · Follow

Proud of being Sikh :) · 8y

Pardon my English. I am writing for the first time

here .
Yes anyone can wear Karas . Its not hard and fast
rule only for Sikhs .
Basically its the constant reminder to carry out right
deeds and the circle shape depicts that there is no
beginning or end like the eternal nature of God.
Upvote · 51 6

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