Cultures

In Sikhism, the Sikh marriage ceremony is known as the ‘Anand Karaj’ meaning ‘Blissful Union’. The four Lavan, (the hymns which are sung during the ceremony) were composed by Guru Ram Das. The ceremony itself was first introduced by his predecessor Guru Amar Das.
Sikh weddings pre and post wedding ceremonies can span over several days.

Pre-Wedding Rituals

Roka and Thaka

A fundamental element of a Sikh wedding is Parental consent the blessings of the parents are considered to be of utmost importance. The consent of the parents is required in order for the union of the bride and groom to progress. The Roka and Thaka, form two of the most important pre-wedding rituals, they both celebrates the involvement of parents and their wholehearted support. The father of the bride visits the groom’s home in order to expresses his approval of the union by applying a tilak on the groom’s forehead and presenting him with gifts of sweets, clothes etc. The same rituals are conducted by the groom’s parents at the bride’s home.

Kurmai 

The formal engagement ceremony that takes place at the groom’s house or the Gurdwara. Prior to the engagement proceedings kicking off, the priest or Granthi offers a short prayer. The groom presents the bride with a ring the bride’s family in turn presents him with a Kara (steel bangle) and a Kripan, a small knife a symbol of the Sikh’s heroic heritage. 
A red scarf is placed around the groom’s neck onto his shoulders, and a few dried dates are  placed in his hands the bride’s grandfather then feeds the groom dates, once the formalities are completed the family present their guest with a meal and drinks. 

Shagan

The bride’s family sends gifts to the groom’s family home before the wedding ceremony.  The gifts are presented in exquisitely decorated trays carried by the bride’s relatives. The gifts generally tend to be a combination of fruits, dry fruits, sweets, coconuts and clothes.  

Chunni Chadana

A few days prior to the Anand Karaj, female relatives of the groom visit the bride’s home to present her with an outfit to wear on the wedding day along with jewellery and makeup. The groom’s mother covers the bride’s head with a chunni (blessed headscarf). This signifies she has accepted the bride as part of her family.

maiya

The cleansing ceremony. This ceremony can take place on any of the five days leading up to the wedding. Both the bride and groom have oil applied to their hair and turmeric paste applied on their body this occurs in their respective homes. The bride and groom’s female relatives hold up each corner of a red cloth held above the bride and groom. All the female relatives and guests sing traditional wedding songs throughout the ceremony.
 

Vatnaa

 

The married women in the family massage the bride and groom with a specially prepared paste made of turmeric, barley and mustard. The women sing wedding songs and there is a general sense of happiness at the ceremony. 
 

Karahi Chadana

This is observed five days before the wedding. A huge Wok (Karahi) is used to cook a meal to be served to guest visiting the house during the remaining days leading up to the wedding. Food can be either savoury or sweet and it must be severed from the Karahi during the five days. 

Gaana

A red thread is tied on the left wrist of the bride and on the groom’s right wrist. It is believed the thread will protect them from negative premonitions.