FAQs
Question
What exactly is Sikhism?
Answer
Sikhism is a religion that originated from Punjab (a northern state in present-day India) around the 1400s. It is a monotheistic religion (i.e. belief in one God) and is the world's 5th largest organized religion with >25 million followers worldwide. It is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak (the first guru) and the 9 gurus succeeding him. The last guru, Guru Gobind Singh, ended the line of human gurus in 1708 and named the holy scripture, known as the Guru Granth Sahib, as the eternal spiritual guide for Sikhs. For more information on Sikhism in the U.S., please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGqYF9eSIyc For more information on the history of Sikhism, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=925fZ4WKISo
Question
What should I expect for the June 14 Sikh ceremony?
Answer
1. Please arrive to the Sikh Gurudwara (i.e. temple) around 10/10:15 am. 2. After entering the front door, take an immediate left into a room full of shoes and scarves. It is customary to take off your shoes here (you can wear socks or be barefoot), tie/place a scarf to cover your hair (people will be there to assist you), and wash your hands with soap and water. 3. Through the door next to the sink, move forward to enter the doors to the main hall and find your party. 4. Please sit on the floor in whatever position is most comfortable to you. If you will not be able to sit on the ground for approximately one hour, please reach out to us so we can provide you with accommodations. 5. The recitation and wedding ceremony will be in Punjabi but we will do our very best to provide English translation on the projectors.
Question
What should I expect for the June 14 Sikh ceremony? cont.
Answer
6. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a small portion of parshad (made of whole-wheat flour, clarified butter, and sugar) will be passed out. If you would like to try this, please accept it with both hands held out. It is tasty! Napkins will be provided. 7. Following parshad, langar (vegetarian lunch) will be catered at the temple downstairs from the main hall. NOTE: You may see Sikhs make their way to the front of the main hall and bow their heads to the ground in front of the holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, prior to the start of the ceremony. Non-Sikh guests are NOT required to do this. We understand that this is a lot of information, especially for those who have never visited a Sikh temple before. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above information and know that we are here to make this process easier! Thank you!
Question
What is the Joint Reception?
Answer
Andrea and Sunny will essentially be married twice - once on Friday morning and once on Saturday afternoon. Sunny's sister, Mona, will be marrying her fiancé, Jerad, at the Sikh temple on the morning of June 13th (the same place Andrea and Sunny will be married at on June 14th). To celebrate both respective nuptials, all guests from both weddings are invited to the Joint Reception. Please join us if you are able and would like to attend! Please RSVP on our website for this event or contact either Andrea or Sunny.