The Sikh Wedding - Indian Wedding Raves #2

Image: theurbannexus via Flickr

“They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together.

Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies.” 
Guru Amar Das Ji, Pauri, pg. 788

Anand Karaj

This week my cousin will take the traditional steps to marrying his beloved. Behind the glitz and the glamour, it is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, dating back to the times of our Guru Jis.

A Sikh wedding is referred to as an Anand Karaj where a man and woman are joined together before a congregation at a gurdwara in the holy presence of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

The bride and groom take their place in front of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which is followed by an Ardas. The only people who stand for this Ardas are the bride and groom and their parents. After the Ardas a Hukam is read from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Then the father of the bride gets up to give his daughter away. He takes one side of the groom’s scarf and places it in his daughter’s hand.

After the bride has been given away there are four Laava. The Laava are marriage hymns written by Guru Ram Das Ji. They are recited while the groom leads his bride and circles around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a clockwise direction. These Laava guide the couple on how to live in a harmonious marriage by explaining the relationship between Waheguru and an individual.

The ceremony is drawn to a close with an Ardas and the offering of Karah Parshad to the congregation.

A brief summary of the Laava

First Laava: Let go of the past and look forward to a new beginning. By worshiping Waheguru Ji all your sins will be forgiven.

Second Laava: Waheguru Ji is the centre of the marriage and the couple should advance towards him.

Third Laava: Fill your mind with ‘Divine Love’ through worshipping together. It is through this worship that you will know your destiny.

Fourth Laava: You will be a peace once you’re married life is combined with love for Waheguru. The couple become one soul in two bodies.

Glossary

Anand Karaj	“Blissful Union”
Ardas	A prayer.
Gurdwara	A Sikh place of worship.
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Guru Amar Das Ji	The holy scriptures of Sikhism. The third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.
Guru Ram Das Ji	The fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism.
Hukam	Meaning command or order. Hukam is commonly used to refer to a hymn that is read after the Ardas.
Karah Parshad	Is a holy offering that is given as a blessing from the Guru.
Laava Pauri	The marriage hymns written by Guru Ram Das Ji which are recited during the Anand Karaj. Paragraph or verse from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Waheguru Ji	Is the term used by Sikhs to refer to God.