udasis

Udasis are a sect within Sikhism that traces its origins to Sri Chand, the elder son of Guru Nanak. Founded in the late 15th century, the Udasi movement developed as an ascetic, itinerant tradition whose aim was to preserve and spread the Guru’s teachings and to support Sikh religious life through pilgrimage centers and monastic establishments.

Historically, Udasis pursued a mendicant, renunciatory lifestyle. They traveled widely as preachers and teachers, often relying on alms. Their attire tended to be simple, with white or saffron robes, and they commonly kept long hair and beards; many Udasis carried a staff as a symbol of their ascetic journey. They contributed to the early Sikh landscape by establishing deras and shrines, organizing pilgrim routes, and supporting the development of temple networks and devotional practices.

Relation to mainstream Sikhism: Udasis constitute a distinct tradition within Sikhism, with their own centers and leadership. They have generally operated separately from the Khalsa reform movement, though they have interacted with the broader Sikh panth and played a role in the dissemination of Sikh devotional life in the early centuries of Sikh history.

Contemporary status: Today, Udasi communities maintain a presence in northern India, Pakistan, and the Sikh diaspora. They continue to run temples and deras, engage in missionary and devotional activities, and preserve their traditions and lineages. The term udasi is also linked etymologically to renunciation or ascetic sadness, reflecting the tradition’s emphasis on withdrawal from worldly life in pursuit of spiritual aims.