Anand Karaj Program Guide of the Sikh Marriage Ceremony
Families and friends, of both bride and groom, congregate in the Gurdwara or wedding hall for the Anand Karaj, assembling together in the presence of Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Hymns are sung as men and boys sit to one side of a central isle, and the woman and girls to the other. Every one sits on the floor reverently, with legs crossed and folded.
Bride and groom mathatke, bowing to Siri Guru Granth Sahib, and then sit at the front of the hall. They stand and come forward, each with their parents, for the blessing of Ardas, signifying that they have given their consent for the wedding to take place. All others remain sitting. An officiting person offers prayer on behalf of the couple for the success of the marriage.
Ragis and tabla player sit on a low stage and sing the hymn, “Kita Loree-ay Kaam”, to seek God’s blessing, and to convey a message that a successful marital union is achieved through grace.
An officating person counsels the couple, advising them that marriage is not merely a social and civil contract, but a spiritual process uniting two souls, so that they become one inseparable entity. Emphasis has been given to the spiritual nature of family harmony by the Gurus, who themselves entered matrimony and had children.
- The husband is to love and respect his wife, encourage her with kind consideration, recognize her individuality, regard her as his equal, offering guidance and support.
- The wife is to show her love and respect with loyalty, supporting her husband’s objectives willingly, harmonizing with him, sharing in happiness and sorrow, prosperity or adversity.
- The couple are to ally themselves with each other in an endeavor to achieve a harmonious union, intellectually, emotionally, physically, materially, and spiritually.
Bride and groom, affirming the acceptance of their marital obligations, bow together before Siri Guru Granth Sahib. The bride sits to the left of the groom directly in front of Siri Guru Granth Sahib.
The bridegroom’s sister (or other female relation) drapes the palaa, a long scarf, shawl, or length of turban cloth, around his shoulders and places the right end in his hands.
The bride’s father (or one acting in his stead) takes the left end of the palla and arranges it over the bride's shoulder giving her the left end to hold.
Ragis sing the hymn:
“Palley Main Tendai Laggee” - “Praise and blame, I both forsake, says Nanak, Seizing the edge of your garment, All else I let pass. Finding all other relationships false, I cling to Thee my Lord”
Lavan the Four Wedding Rounds
The Four Wedding Hymns of Lavan represent four stages of love, and describe the development of marital love between husband and wife, while simultaneously signifying the love and longing of the human soul for God.
The bride and groom circumambulate the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, as ragis sing the hymns of Lavan, composed by 4th guru Ram Das. Holding his end of the palaa, the groom walks to the left clockwise, circling around Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Holding her end of the palaa, the bride follows. The couple makes their first marital adjustment by keeping in step with each other. They bow together before Siri Guru Granth Sahib, concluding the 1st round of Laav, and resume sitting. The 2nd, 3rd & final, 4th Laav are conducted in the same manner.
The entire congregation joins in singing “Anand Sahib”, the “Song of Bliss”, reaffirming the merging of the soul with the supreme spirit.
Conclusion
The ragis sing two hymns to complete the ceremony:
- “Viah Hoa Mera Babula” - celebrates the marriage of the couple and their union with God.
- “Puri asajee meree mansa” - describes the happiness at having found the perfect partner.
The congregation stands for the final Ardas, and afterwards bows, and resumes sitting. The Granthi reads the Hukamnama concluding the ceremony. A ragi serves everyone karah prashad, a sacred sweet, blessed during the prayer.
The married couple and their families express thanks to all present for taking part in the celebration. The wedding party guests congratulate the married couple. Every one gathers in the langar hall for a celebratory repast. Parents distribute boxed confections such as ladoo to guests.
