A traditional dumalla holds a set of shastars, or weapons, tucked into its folds as both ready arms and symbols of the Khalsa. The most common are the chakram (throwing ring), the khanda (double-edged sword), the aad chand (crescent), teer (arrows), and a small kirpan or karad. These are often joined by ornamental pieces like a chand tora and a simarna. Which shastars traditionally go into a dumalla varies by individual and tradition, especially within the Akali Nihang Khalsa.

What Shastars Traditionally Go Into a Dumalla?

The dumalla, particularly in the Akali Nihang Khalsa tradition, is more than a turban. It carries shastars that are ready to hand and that express the wearer's identity as a saint-soldier. The pieces below are the ones most commonly worn, though every individual and jatha carries a slightly different selection. Most of them, along with the ornaments that go with them, can be found in the dumalla accessories collection.

The Common Shastars, and What Each Is

Here are the shastars most often seen in a traditional dumalla.

A coordinated dumalla shastar pack is a common way to gather a matched set of these, while single pieces can be added over time from a range of assorted dumalla shastars.

Ornamental Pieces Worn Alongside Shastars

A traditional dumalla usually carries a few ornamental pieces as well, which sit alongside the shastars and complete the look. A chand tora, the crescent-and-cord ornament, anchors and decorates the front. A simarna, a string of beads used for simran, is often wound into the folds. Some wearers also carry a farla, a raised length of cloth that, within the Nihang tradition, marks particular standing. And a chakkar rings the dumalla to add both structure and presence. Together these give the dumalla its distinctive, layered appearance.

How the Shastars Sit in the Dumalla

The shastars are tucked into the folds of the dumalla rather than simply attached to the outside. This serves two purposes at once. Practically, pushing shastars firmly into the layers helps pin the cloth and hold the tall shape, so they contribute to the structure as well as the meaning. Symbolically, keeping arms in the dastar reflects the Khalsa ideal of readiness and the fusion of the spiritual and the martial. The arrangement is personal, built up over time, and each wearer positions pieces in the way that suits their tying and their tradition.

Building a Traditional Dumalla

If you are putting together a dumalla, it is best to build gradually rather than all at once. Many people start with a chakkar for structure and a small set of core shastars such as a khanda and aad chand, then add teer, a kirpan, and ornamental pieces over time. A dumalla chakkar is a common first addition because it does the most for the shape. Which pieces you carry, and how many, is a personal and traditional choice, so let your jatha, your teacher, and your own practice guide it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common shastar worn in a dumalla?
The chakram, or chakkar, is one of the most recognisable, worn around the dumalla as an iconic Khalsa arm.

Do all dumalle carry shastars?
No, carrying shastars is especially associated with the Akali Nihang Khalsa tradition, and the selection varies by individual and jatha.

What is the difference between a shastar and an ornament like a chand tora?
A shastar is a weapon carried in the dumalla, while a chand tora is a decorative crescent ornament worn to finish the front.

How do shastars help hold a dumalla's shape?
Tucked firmly into the folds, shastars pin the layers of cloth in place, which helps the dumalla keep its tall structure.