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The Sikh wedding ceremony is the one with all the merriment paired with tradition. It is the diadem where the sacredness of marriage is revered. Despite today’s society and its hastened attitude towards marriage, the meaningful post and pre-wedding rituals in the Sikh books are still widely followed. This holds true for the Sikh Wedding Invitation Cards too as they can be customised. The options available are varied and so in line with the Sikh tradition and expectations of marriage.
In this guide to the events of a Sikh wedding, you are sure to be amazed by the very many platitudes of weddings so beautifully put together in elegance and respect. Read along to see how the couple, their families and the guests are blessed by all the ceremonies that make a Sikh wedding a memorable one.
- Kurmai
Done prior to the engagement or on the day, this is the ritual of acceptance. The bride’s family visits the groom’s house or the Gurudwara with savouries, sweets and gifts but the bride doesn’t accompany them. The groom will receive these special gifts with the cradle of cloth on his lap. This ritual marks the journey of togetherness the two families and the couple are destined to embark on.
- Chunni Chadai
This is a ritual of welcoming the bride hosted by the groom’s family. They visit the bride’s house and shower her with gifts. This ceremony can be organized any day between fixing the date to the wedding ceremony. The gifts brought by the groom’s family are attires for the bride, jewellery, make-up requirements and the wedding scarf which is the most important. It symbolises the groom’s family welcoming the bride into their family and how eager they are to do so.
- Mehndi and Chooda Ceremony
These two ceremonies are held together. The Mehndi as known by everyone is where the henna is applied in beautiful designs on the bride’s palm and hands. The Chooda ceremony is where the red bangles are given to the bride by her maternal uncle with the ornamental kalire dangling and the bangles are bathed in milk. In the ceremony that ensues, the bridesmaid on whose head the danglers fall is likely to get married next just like the bouquet thrown in Christian weddings.
- Maiya
The Maiya is the event which takes place in the groom’s and Bride’s respective houses. It involves a beautiful and intricate rangoli design drawn in front of their houses just a few days before the wedding. The remaining ceremonies, especially the vatna or haldi, take place near this rangoli. The couple is now advised to not leave the house until the wedding ceremony.
- Gana
This is an act of protecting the bride and groom from bad omens during the wedding season. A sacred red thread is tied around the bride’s left hand and the groom’s right hand for this.
- Vatna
As an age-old tradition with a glowing meaning behind it, the vatna is beautifying the bride and the groom for their big day by applying natural turmeric and mustard oil all over their face and body. This is to make their skin flawless for the big day.
- Gharoli
In this event of merriment, an earthen pitcher called the gharoli is filled with water from the Gurudwara and brought to the bride or groom’s house for them to shower in it on the day of the wedding. Normally, the sister and sister-in-law of the bride or groom bring this pitcher while singing the doliyan.
- Baraat
We are here to see what happens on the wedding day. The handsomely adorned groom walks to the wedding venue accompanied by his family and friends who surround him, dancing and singing. That’s Baraat and a moment of pride for the groom who walks in to claim his wife-to-be.
- Milni
The reciprocated act where the bride’s family welcomes the groom walking in is Milni. With a big smile and their share of merriment, the bridal party welcomes the groom with garlands, gifts and all the buoyant teasing.
- Anand Karaj
This is a ceremony of joy which takes place in the Gurudwara once the bride and groom have arrived. The recitals from the Guru Granth Sahib scripture are sung as kirtan praising the sacredness of marriage.
- Laavan Pheras
Once the bride and groom are in front of the altar, the Laavan or the marriage prayer is recited by the musicians. While the four prayers are being recited, the groom with his sword who has his scarf tied to the bride’s pallu will lead them both around the altar sealing the unfailing truth of a marriage that binds them together.
- Karah Prasad
The karah prasad or the whole wheat halwa is offered to the guests as a token of sharing the happiness of the united bride and groom. Arranged by the gurudwara or by the groom’s family this sweet partaking is an act of unity in the spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving.
- Reception
This post-wedding gathering marks the welcoming of the guests. Akin to other reception parties, introductions and toasts to the bride and groom take place in the midst of fine dining and drinks. This is the time when the guests let themselves loose and have a good time in unison.
- – Doli
Following this is the emotional sending off of the bride where she symbolically leaves her maternal home to be joined by her sasuraal. She is said to throw a handful of rice symbolizing her love and thankfulness for her family.
- – Pag Phere
The grief of parting is paired with the joy of welcoming the bride to her new home. She is welcomed in all smiles and grandeur by the groom’s family. Many rituals and a grand feast are prepared by the family
All these traditions are well planned and not hurried unlike modern weddings today. In all this grandeur, it’s the joy that continues to spark among the participants, especially the couple that holds the light. This content and togetherness are the ultimate take-home gifts to every guest that shouldn’t be missed. And the blessing that is showered upon the couple in all these ceremonies is truly manifold and all-encompassing.
