—The Kachera is one of the five articles of faith that a baptized Sikh must wear at all times. The Kachera was made part of the Sikhs five articles of faith as a symbol for a Sikh to be ready at any moment for a battle of for a defense. It was made for a Sikh to get around quickly in a fight, and symbolizes other things as well. A baptized Sikh, one who has taken Amrit wears a Kachera at all times, even when bathing. When a Sikh changes his or her Kachera, he or she must have at least one leg in the Kachera before putting on the new one. The Kachera allowed a Sikh solider to operate freely in combat without any restrictions, and was easy to fabricate, and wash. The Kachera also symbolizes self respect and reminds the person who is wearing it to have mental control over lust, which is one of the five kuraats (five evils).
The Kachera is well fabricated and is designed to be comfortable so that a Sikh can move freely without restrictions. It is held on the wearer by a string that circles the waist which is tightened and loosened for the wearer however it fits them. The Kachera is just one of the five article of faith a Amritdari (baptized) must wear at all times. The others include, a Kangha which is a comb so the Sikh can stay groomed, a Kara which is an iron bracelet symbolizing whatever a person does with their hand to be kept under the Guru’s teachings, a Kirpan which is a spiritual sword representing a Sikhs defense for justice and to help those who can’t help themselves, a Keskie which is a 2 meter of longer cloth that is tied around a Sikh’s head.
