page_title: Sects of Sikhism
section_title: Udasi
hierarchical_section_title: Sects of Sikhism / Early Sikh sects / Udasi
caption_attribution_description: English: Udashi Akhada This is a photo of a monument in Nepal identified by the ID NP-KMC11-33
context_page_description: Sects of Sikhism are sub-traditions within Sikhism that believe in an alternate lineage of Gurus, or have a different interpretation of the Sikh scriptures, or believe in following a living guru, or other concepts that differ from the orthodox. The major historic sects of Sikhism, states Harjot Oberoi, have included Udasi, Nirmala, Nanakpanthi, Khalsa, Sahajdhari, Namdhari Kuka, Nirankari and Sarvaria.
  The early Sikh sects were Udasis founded by Sri Chand – the elder son of Guru Nanak, and the Minas Prithi Chand – the elder son of Guru Ram Das respectively, in parallel to the official succession of the Sikh Gurus. Later on Ram Rai – son of Guru Har Rai formed his own sect at Dehradun and his followers are called Ram Raiyass. Many splintered Sikh communities formed during the period between the death of Guru Har Krishan and the coronation of Guru Tegh Bahadur. These sects have had considerable differences. Various other Sikh sects emerged over the Sikh history. Some of these sects were financially and administratively supported by the Mughal Empire in the hopes of gaining a more favorable and compliant citizenry.
context_section_description: Udasi is an early sect based on the teachings of Sri Chand (1494–1643), the son of Guru Nanak – the founder of Sikhism. The Udasis do not reject the Sikh Gurus, but attach greater importance to the line of succession from Guru Nanak through Sri Chand. Another Sikh tradition links the Udasis to Baba Gurditta, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind. Early Sikh literature suggests that Udasis were already prominent in the 17th-century. They interpret the message of Guru Granth Sahib in Vedantic terms. They do not abide by the Khalsa's Rehat Maryada and dress codes. According to 18th-century descriptions, they either cut or mat their hair, and some smeared ash on their body.
  Udasis are known for their Akharas along with the Nirmala sect of Sikhism. They accept asceticism and monastic traveler lifestyle. Udasi is derived from the Sanskrit word "Udasin", it literally means "detached, journey", and that reflects their approach to spiritual and temporal life. They were key in preserving Sikhism from extinction in the 18th century, after the death of Guru Gobind Singh and during the Mughal persecution. Their help to Sikhism was notable in the decades between the martyrdom of Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716 and the rise of Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Empire. The Udasi ascetic akharas managed Gurdwaras, rebuilt them and preserved the Sikh scriptures. They were respected and patronized by Ranjit Singh through land grants and responsibility of Sikh temples. 
  The Udasis were key interpreters of the Sikh philosophy and the custodians of important Sikh shrines until the Singh Sabha movement. Like missionary Nirmala Sikhs, they also brought a large number of people into the Sikh fold during the 18th and the early 19th centuries. Their religious practices accept images and statues of Sikh Gurus inside temples, as well as Hindu iconography. They greet each other with "Om namo Brahmane", and they practice Hatha yoga like the Hindus. When the Singh Sabha movement, dominated by Khalsa Sikhs, redefined the Sikh identity in the early 20th century, the Udasi mahants were expelled from the Sikh shrines. During the dispute, the Udasis increasingly regarded themselves as Hindus rather than Sikhs.
caption: Udasis protected many Sikh Gurdwaras in the 18th century, managed them in the 19th century. They built simple shrines far from Punjab. Above: an Udasi shrine in Nepal.
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