Nirmala
Nirmala, an ascetic order of the Sikhs, a religious group of India. Nirmalas (“those without blemish”) at first wore only white garments but later adopted the ochre robes worn by Hindu ascetics and shared some other practices, such as birth and death rites, with Hindus. Like the Udāsī order of Sikh ascetics the Nirmalas carried on missionary activities for the Sikhs and served as mahants (priests) of their temples.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Nirmala
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
09 January 2008
Access Date:
February 22, 2025