How is a Sikh wedding carried out?

Answer 1

Arranged marriage.

Anand karaj - literally translated as "Blissful Event". Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman; a true partnership of equals in marriage is made between those who are united in spirit as well as in mind and body. Marriage is regarded as a strong lifetime bond between the bride and groom and and a union between both the families of the bride and groom.

This event leads to a "joining" of the two families into one creating an enlarged extended family structure where each member has a useful part to play in the new family structure; each member of this extended family has to play a part in ensuring that the new couple are given every assistance in this new relationship and their start on this honourable path of Grist marg, "path of the householder".

Gristi jiwan (living as a householder) is given a very respected position in Guru Nanak's society as it is regarded as the essential basic atomic unit of a healthy community; a couple leading a happy, strong and fulfilling relationship will provide a base for a strong, united and coherent community.

Based on a concept depicted in Laava, the Sikh marriage is not merely a physical and legal contract but is a fusion of the souls; a holy union between two souls, where physically they appear as two individual bodies but in fact are united as one. The couple must feel and think alike and both must be completely identified with the other, i.e. they need to become "Ek Jot Doe Murti"meaning "one spirit in two bodies".

Answer 2

Anand Karaj is the prescribed form of Sikh marriage, the words literally translate as 'Blissful Union". The Sikh marriage is a very special ceremony in which two individuals are joined in a equal partnership. It is joyous and festive event which is very family orientated and informal in it's atmosphere. Sikh marriages are usually arranged with families acting as little more than introduction services. The ultimate choice is always left to the girl and boy. In some cases the boy and girl choose each other first and then seek their parents consent and blessing.

The Reht Maryada which is The Official Sikh Code of Conduct specifies that no thought should be given to the perspective spouses caste, race or lineage. As long as both the boy and girl profess the Sikh faith and no other faith they may be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony.

The Reht Maryada strictly forbids any sort of dowry arrangement as marriage is not to be viewed as a business transaction. Sikhs are also discouraged from consulting horoscopes or following any other superstitions pertaining to determining a wedding date or time.

The Anand Karaj ceremony can be performed in any Gurdwara or home where Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been respectfully installed. The religious ceremony cannot be performed in a hotel or banquet hall. There are no restrictions as to what time the ceremony should start or what time it should end although they are usually performed in the morning with the religious ceremony taking no more than a few hours.

An engagement ceremony called the kurmai is not required but is sometimes performed typically one week before the wedding. It is usually conducted in the Gurdwara or at the home of the boy. It involves Ardas (the common Sikh prayer), Kirtan (hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and langer (common meal) if performed in the Gurdwara. If performed at home, the brides family visit the house of the groom for a short time. In both cases the groom is usually presented with a kara, kirpan or Indian sweets. The brides family in turn are presented with a Indian suit and sweets for the girl.

In the east marriages are typically a three day affair which begins with the Braat (grooms family and friends) setting off for the girls house in the evening. They are received, entertained and hosted by the girls family and spend the night at her house.

The following day the ceremony takes place at the local Gurdwara or at the girls home.

Following the religious ceremony festivities, song and dance continue the remainder of the day with the groom and his family departing with the bride the following day. In the west because of the constraints in time and difficulty in coordinating so many people, wedding are usually a one or two day affair. Either the wedding occurs in the morning followed by a dinner and dance banquet in a hall or hotel at night, or the religious ceremony and banquet take place on consecutive days. In rarer cases only the religious ceremony takes place without any banquet.

Answer 3

The history and traditions behind the Sikh marriage:-

Sikhs are encouraged to marry, and marriage is called 'Anand karaj', which means 'the ceremony of happiness'. The Gurus taught that the family life was very important and being married is thought to be a necessary part of this. Many Sikh weddings are arranged marriages, and even if the couple have suggested their marriage the families will still be very involved. The bride should be at least 18 and it is usual for the groom to be older than the bride is. A marriage cannot take place unless both the bride and groom agree to it.

Evening before the wedding: On the evening before the wedding, the bride's friends and female relatives may meet at her house. They have a party, where she is given money and special sweet foods. They paint beautiful patterns on her hands and feet with a special dye (henna tattoos), which last for several days.

Setting of the wedding: Sikh weddings usually take place in the morning. They must always take place in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. They are usually held in the Gurdwara.

On the morning of the wedding: On the morning of the wedding, the bridegroom and his relatives are welcome to the bride's house, where they are given refreshments. Often presents are exchanged; usually things like cloth for turbans or clothing. Then they all go to the Gurdwara. The bridegroom usually wears a red or pink turban and has a scarf around his neck. He sits at the front, in front of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The bride's father puts a garland of flowers on the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride enters, with her sister or other female relative. She wears red, often with beautiful gold jewellery. After bowing to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as usual, she sits next to the bridegroom and is given a garland of flowers by her father.

The Ceremony: Readings from the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji are an important part of the wedding. The couple and their parents stand while prayers are said asking the God's blessing on the marriage. A passage from the Guru Granth Sahib is read, and the person reading the service gives a talk about marriage and what it means. The couples are asked if they understand and accept their responsibilities to each other as a husband and wife. When they have nodded their agreement the bride's father gives her the one end of the scarf. This is a symbol that they are being joined together as husband and wife. She holds the scarf for the rest of the ceremony.

Lavan: The most important part of the ceremony follows. This is the reading of the Lavan, a hymn written for weddings by Guru Ramdas. It has four verses, which are spoken one at a time, and then sung. Each verse explains something about marriage. As each verse is sung, the bride and the groom walk in a clockwise direction around the Guru Granth Sahib. When they have done this for the forth time, they are married. Everyone stands to join in the Ardaas prayer, and there may be speeches before everyone shares the Kara Parshad. A meal follows, which may be held in the Langar Hall.

Answer 4

Anand Karaj is the Sikh wedding ceremony. The focus of the wedding is the Lavan, four hymns or songs sung as the bride and groom circle the Siri Guru Granth Sahib.