Chauri is a ceremonial whisk used by the Sikhs to wave over the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism. In Indian tradition, fanning a person or object with a chauri is equivalent to giving them respect and a position of authority.
A chauri is made from the hairs of the tail of a white horse or yak, which are set in a wooden or silver handle. It is always placed besides the Guru Granth Sahib. The holy book is placed on a stool, which shows its equivalence to a living guru. The chauri is periodically waved over the holy book, when the verses are being read. This is to signify the book’s position in the religion.
