Title
Chaur Sahib
Year/Period
19th century
Region
north-west India
Material
Horse or Tak Hair, Wood and Steel
Dimension
Gross measurement: 63.5 x 60.0 x 30.0 cm
Accession No.
2016-00365
Collection of
NLB Type
Cultural artefact
Chaur sahib and chauri are ceremonial flywhisks that are used to fan the Sikh holy scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib (holy scripture of the Sikh faith), as an act of devotion and respect during religious observances. Legend has it that when the Guru Granth Sahib was first installed at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India, Guru Arjan Dev (the 5th Sikh Guru). The chaur sahib continue to be important ritual objects used in Sikh temples, as seen in Singapore's Sikh Gurudwaras as well.