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Learn the techniques for wearing a patka, fortress, and traditional turbans
The religious scriptures of the Sikh faith emphasize the importance of wearing a turban and preserving one's hair. Sikh turbans differ significantly from those in other cultures, such as the Arab style that often leaves a tail. There are various methods for tying a Sikh turban, allowing for personal adaptation, though two common techniques are explained below.
Quick Turban Tying Guide
To tie the turban, start by placing a beanie or hair cap, then hold one end of the turban in your mouth. Wrap the other end around the back of your head and up to your hair knot. Create a similar loop on the other side of your head, continuing to wrap the fabric until you reach the end. Tuck the loose ends in securely.
Steps to Tie a Turban
How to Tie a Patka Turban
Gather your hair together. Sikhs typically gather their hair into a bun on top of their head to keep it secured beneath the fabric.
- A patka is often seen as a children's turban or one worn for active sports. Sikhs may also wear it beneath a larger turban to keep it in place, which is why it's discussed first here. It's a smaller cloth compared to a full turban.
Gather your hair on top of your head, similar to making a ponytail. Twist the hair together, forming a thick rope from it.
Twist the hair rope around itself. Create a knot on the top of your head towards the front. Continue wrapping it, and if the length allows, you can pull part of the rope through itself to create a slip knot. If not, wrap the remaining end around the knot. Secure it with an elastic band if it doesn’t stay in place on its own.
Put on a patka. Some Sikhs wear a patka beneath their turban for added support.
Start with the patka cloth. Position it across your forehead, holding one corner in each hand. Then, tie the corners behind your head, securing them at the back.
Pull the corner strings from the back. Cross one string over and around the knot on your head, holding it beneath your chin for now. Cross the other string in the opposite direction.
Wrap the strings around the front of the knot. Tie the ends securely at the back of your hair knot.
How to Tie a Basic Turban
Hold one corner of your turban in your mouth. Holding one end in your mouth allows you to have both hands free while you wrap the turban.
Wrap the turban around the back of your head and then up around your hair knot. Pull it back around to the front, going around the knot. Let it go lower around the front of your head on one side.
Loop it around your head again. This time, go higher on the other side of your head as you loop around. Pull it down lower on the other side.
Keep wrapping it around your head. Layer it as you go. In fact, you can create a stair-step effect on the front of your head as you wrap it around.
Tuck in the end. When you come to the end of your turban cloth, tuck it into the top folds of the turban. Be sure to pull it tight so it stays in place.
Secure the end by tucking it in. Wrap the fabric around the back of your head and tuck the end under the back folds of the turban.
How to Tie a Fortress Turban
Keep one end of the turban in your mouth. Holding one end in your mouth allows you to use both hands to wrap the turban. Place it in the left side of your mouth.
Wrap the turban around your head from the back. Start on the left side and move upward on the right side, wrapping it around the top of the knot.
Wrap it lower on the left side. As you move around to the left side, lower the turban to cover the upper part of your ear.
Continue wrapping it. As you move to the right, lower the wrap with each turn. When you wrap on the left side, raise it higher with each pass.
Wrap the end around the peak. As you begin wrapping, a peak will emerge at the front of your head. Wrap the end around this peak, forming a shape similar to the center of a bow, as the end pinches the peak. Both sides will spread out wider than the center.
- This knot style was traditionally worn by kings.
Tuck in the other end. Take the remaining end and pull it around the back. Lift it over the crown of your head, covering the exposed part of the patka, and tuck it neatly under the top folds.
Make adjustments. Stretch and adjust the turban to ensure it fits comfortably and securely over all parts of your head.
Warnings
- Be cautious about how tightly you tie it—too tight can cause discomfort, while not tight enough may lead to it coming undone.
