Weddings are joyous occasions for everyone involved in the ceremony. From family members to friends, everyone gets excited when it comes to weddings.
Often, we identify Sikh weddings with loud music and merry-making. However, the religion of Sikhism places great emphasis on the institution of marriage. The rituals followed by Sikhs for weddings involve many meaningful steps.
So, let us delve deeper into the traditions that form the core of Sikh weddings.
Rituals in Sikh Pre-Weddings
Sikh wedding rituals can be divided into pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding rituals. We have listed the most important Sikh wedding rituals for your wedding planning. First, let’s have a look at the pre-wedding rituals:
Roka
This is the primary ritual that initiates the wedding conversion between two families. Sweets play a crucial role here because it symbolizes the beginning of a union.
Kurmai
This is the official engagement ceremony where relatives are invited, and rings are exchanged between the couple. After the Kudmai ceremony, the couple moves towards the marriage ceremony. During this ceremony, prayers are also recited.
Chunar Chadhana
This is the next step in the pre-wedding rituals, where sweets and dry fruits are exchanged between the families, and the groom’s family places a veil on the bride’s head to symbolize her acceptance as the bride-to-be for their family.
Mehendi
In this ceremony, henna is artistically applied on the hands and feet of the bride and groom and even on the women of the bride’s house hands. Intricate henna designs are created on the hands and feet of the bride.
Sangeet
This ceremony is all about merry-making and enjoying the time before the wedding. Family members of the bride and groom perform song-dance sequences.
Chuda
The bride’s maternal uncle and wife present the bride with ivory and red bangles. The bangles are dipped in milk and rose petals and then worn by the bride.
Wedding Day And Post-Wedding Rituals
Below, we present you the Sikh wedding day rituals followed by the post-wedding ceremonies:
Baraat
This commences the arrival of the groom and his relatives at the bride’s house for the marriage ceremony. It is an energetic ritual that involves dancing and singing.
Anand Karaj
It is the significant wedding ritual that takes place in the Gurudwara. It translates as joyous work. The couple’s union is affirmed with prayers known as ardas and shadabs from the individual family members.
Laavan
It refers to the couple’s circumambulation around the Guru Granth Sahib. Here you will find four Laavan, representing four stages of married life and cementing their relationship.
Milni
It is another heartfelt ritual where the men of both houses greet and hug each other to celebrate the wedding’s completion. Karah Prasad is also distributed to everyone after the wedding.
Doli
After the wedding, the bride traditionally leaves the mayka or her parent’s house in a doli or palanquin for her in-law’s house. The Doli is beautifully decorated for this purpose.
Conclusion
Respecting traditions is essential, and when you understand the value of these wedding traditions, you will love these rituals.
