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How to wear patka, fortress, and basic-style turbans
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According to the religious texts of the Sikh religion, the followers must wear a turban and not cut their hair. [1] The style of a Sikh turban and how it is tied are very different from turban styles in other cultures, such as Arab cultures that often leave a tail at the back. [2] You'll find there are many ways to tie a Sikh turban, and you can personalize yours based on your preferences, though below you'll find two variations.

Tying a Turban: Quick Guide

With a beanie or hair cap on, hold one corner of the turban in your mouth and wrap the other end around the back of your head and up around your hair knot. Make an identical loop around the other side of your head, then continue wrapping the turban until you reach the end. Tuck in both ends to secure it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Tying a Patka Turban

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Sikhs often pile their hair on top of their head in a type of bun to keep it under the fabric.
    • A patka is considered a kid's turban or one that you can wear to play active sports in. Often, Sikhs tie one on under a regular turban as a way to hold it in place, which is why it's first in this article. It is a smaller piece of cloth than a full turban.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Begin twisting the hair altogether, making a thick rope of your hair. [3]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Make a knot on the top of your head near the front. Keep wrapping it around itself. If it's long enough, you can pull part of it through itself to form a sort of slip knot. If not, wrap the end around the knot. Secure with an elastic holder if it doesn't want to stay. [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Some Sikhs wear a patka under their turbans. [5]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Place it over your forehead, holding a corner in each hand. Tie the corners from the front at the back of your head. [6]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Cross one over and around the knot on your head, holding it under your chin for the moment. Cross the other one around the other way. [7]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Tie them at the back of your hair knot. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Tying a Basic Turban

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Holding one end in your mouth allows you to have both hands free while you wrap the turban.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Pull it back around to the front, going around the knot. Let it go lower around the front of your head on one side.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    This time, go higher on the other side of your head as you loop around. Pull it down lower on the other side. [9]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    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. [10]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    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. [11]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Pull the end around the back, and tuck it under the back folds of the fabric. [12]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Tying a Fortress Turban

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    You will be able to wrap with both hands if you hold one end in your mouth. Hold it in the left side of your mouth.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Start on the left side and come up high on the right side. Come around the top of the knot.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    As you come around the left side, wrap the turban low, covering the top part of your ear.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    On the right side, go lower on each wrap. On the left side, go higher on each wrap.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    As you wrap, a peak will begin to form on the front of your head. Wrap the end around the peak. It will look like the center of a bow, as the end will pinch the peak. Each side comes out wider than the middle.
    • This type of knot was used by kings.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Pull the other end around the back. Pull it up over the crown of the head, covering the exposed part of the patka. Tuck it under the top folds.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie a Sikh Turban
    Stretch out the turban so it fits well over all parts of your head.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Does this work if I have short hair ?
    Stazblood
    Community Answer
    You will only be unable to wear patka. You can wear the fortress and the basic turban if you do, as explained above.
  • Question
    Can we tie the turban if we do not have long hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes you can, some people wrap a small cloth inside the turban when tying, for a better fit.
  • Question
    Should the turban cloth be washed everyday after wearing?
    Community Answer
    It dpends on your cleanliness. If you feel that makes you cleaner, then yes. Please wash it at least once a week though, so it doesn't get dirty.
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      Warnings

      • If you tie it too tightly, it can be uncomfortable. If it is not tight enough, it can unravel.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tie a traditional Sikh turban, first wrap your hair in a patka, which is a preliminary head wrap that will compact your hair for the turban, if your hair is long. To tie a patka, first tie your hair up in a top bun. Then, lay the patka cloth over your head. Loop the bands around the back of your head and tie them in a knot. Next, tuck the 2 remaining lengths of fabric over your head again to tie them off and shorten them. Now you're ready to tie the turban. Take the turban cloth and wrap it over your head at a 45-degree angle while biting the front end of the cloth to hold it in place. Then, wrap the fabric behind you and around your head. Now loop it around your head at the opposite angle. Continue wrapping the fabric in an alternating pattern until you have about 10 inches (25 cm) of fabric left. Tuck the end of the fabric into the top folds of the turban. Finally, take the end in your mouth and tuck it into the back folds of the turban. For a detailed tutorial on how to tie a Fortress turban, as well as more help in tying a basic turban, read on!

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