Hinduism The seli and topi play a role in the succession ceremony for the
Vaishnavist religious institutions of
Pindori and Damtal in Punjab, as a black woolen thread seli and a topi cap are received from the Jogi establishment of Jakhbar to be placed upon the new Mahant of the institutions, considered critically important items for the succession ceremony. The garment can also be found amongst the
Kabirpanthis. At Cherisarma, near the
Samye monastery, there is a peak-shaped mountain that locals believe to be the seli-topi of Guru Nanak. According to
Jvala Singh, the
seli topi was worn by the first five Sikh gurus rather than a
turban. It was only during the period of the sixth Sikh guru,
Guru Hargobind, that the turban gained prominence amongst the Sikhs.), he remarked that he should be given
two-swords instead and that the seli-topi be given to the Bedis instead.
Baba Gurditta, son of Guru Hargobind, adorned the seli-topi. A
seli and
topi in the possession of Baba Gurditta's descendants at Kiratpur is evidence that Sri Chand had passed them to Gurditta, with the guru's permission. It is believed that on the occasion of the wedding
Rup Kaur, daughter of
Guru Har Rai,
Mata Bassi presented Rup Kaur with five gifts, including Guru Nanak's
seli and
topi. According to the Bedi Foundation, it was a custom to pass-on pothi-mala, the seli-topi and padam of Guru Nanak to the next Guru until Guru Ram Das, as
Prithi Chand and the
Minas stole the possessions. The present custodians of the Pothimala institution in
Guru Har Sahai claim to possess the seli-topi, made out of silk but damaged and having a protective outer case sewn to the original. They practice a tradition of the
Gaddi Nashin of Pothimala wearing the topi on New
Sambat day every year.
Islam , ca.1610. The attire is worn by
Sufis and also by
fakirs of the school of
Pir Bahaw Din. == In artwork ==