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Nitnem (Punjabi:ਨਿਤਨੇਮ,lit. 'daily routine') is a collection ofSikh hymns (Gurbani) to be read minimally 3 different times of the day. These are mandatory and to be read by everyAmritdhari Sikh[1] as expressed in theSikh Rehat Maryada (the official Sikh Code of Conduct which acts as the ultimate "rulebook" for Amritdhari Sikhs).[2] Optionally additional prayers may be added to a Sikh'snitnem. There are threehymns which are officially mandated by the Sikh Rehat Maryada to be recited atAmrit Vela (early hours of the morning between 2AM and 6AM), although two more are commonly recited alongside these, forming the 5 Baania (5 hymns).[1] TheRehras Sahib hymn is also mandated in the evening, followed byKirtan Sohila at night. The morning and evening prayers should be followed by anArdaas.[3][4]
The initiated Sikh is asked by thePanj Piare during theAmrit Sanchar ceremony to recite the following 5banis (Punjabi:ਪੰਜ ਬਾਣੀਆਂ,romanized: paja bāṇī'āṁ) as a commitment to theSikh Gurus andWaheguru. Thebanis are also recited daily, starting in the early morning (Amrit Vela). However, through time, the "five banis" has come to mean different things to different groups of Sikhs.
Officially, the 5 Baani refers toJapji Sahib,Jaap Sahib andTav Prasad Savaiya (morning),Rehraas Sahib (evening) and Kirtan Sohila (before bed)- this is the Sikh Rehat Maryada's definition. But some minority sects within Sikhism who do not accept the Sikh Rehat Maryada's authority claim that "5 Baani" refers to the 5 hymns recited at the Amrit Sanchar ceremony, which are to be recited every morning at Amrit Vela, in addition to Rehras Sahib and Kirtan Sohila in the evening and night respectively. These groups' definition of "Five hymns" (5 Baani) counter-intuitively makes them recite 7 hymns daily instead of five
As per theSikh Code of Conduct, Sikhs are only required to reciteJapji Sahib,Jaap Sahib, & theTen Sawayyas in the morning.[5][6] Many Sikhs, including those who follow the lifestyle of sects such as the Damdami Taksal & AKJ, believe thatChaupai Sahib &Anand Sahib are also required in the morning prayers. Sometimes this is referred to as the Five Banis. These prayers are recited between 2 - 6 AM. These morning prayers are required to be followed by theArdas.[7][8]
However, most Sikhs (even the majority of Amritdharis who follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada) will still recite Chaupai Sahib and Anand Sahib as part of their morning prayers, despite knowing that they are not required to. This is because although the minimum number of morning prayers to be recited at Amrit Vela is 3, recitation of more hymns and Sikh scripture (Gurbani) is always welcomed and encouraged for all Sikhs. Therefore, the majority of Amritdhari Sikhs worldwide do recite a total of 7 prayers daily, identical to those sects who mandate this practise, such as AKJ and the Damdami Taksal - however, this is strictly out of personal desire to recite more hymns, not due to obligation.
Five Banis can also refer toJapji Sahib,Jaap Sahib, & theTen Sawayyas in the morning, along withRehras Sahib andKirtan Sohila in the evening, which are the five minimum prayers to be recited daily by any amritdhariKhalsaSikh, as per theSikh Code of Conduct.[9][10]
This prayer is recited after sunset and takes about 8–12 minutes to recite. This evening prayer is required to be followed by theArdas.[11][12][13]
Some Sikh traditions also include the recitation of Rakhya De Shabad (hymns of divine protection) before Kirtan Sohila, especially within certain Taksal and Nihang lineages. These shabads are selected verses from the Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth that express trust in the protection of Waheguru and seek spiritual and mental reassurance before resting. While not universally practiced across all Sikh communities, this addition is considered a way of preparing the mind for peaceful sleep and reinforcing a sense of divine guardianship throughout the night. This prayer is recited before going to bed and takes about 5–12 minutes to recite. This night prayer is not required to be followed by theArdas.[14][15][8][16]
Nitnem is typically read from agutka (Sikh Prayer book) orpothi (wider rectangular book), of which the main forms are thePanj Granthi (5 main scriptures from Guru Granth Sahib) and theDas Granthi (main scriptures from Dasam Granth). The Sundar Gutka (A larger gutka containing a mix of many compositions, lit. Beautiful Gutka) is also common in Sikh households.
Other prayers commonly read are:
