Schedule
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Wedding
9:00 am
3636 Gurdwara Ave, San Jose, CA 95148
The wedding will take place at the San Jose Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh Temple. We will begin the events at the front of the Gurdwara. The Groom's side will gather at one of the parking lots. The Bride's side will meet at the Milni location. We begin festivities with Angad's Baraat. The Baraat, the arrival of the groom, is the wedding procession during which the groom, along with his family and friends, arrives at the Gurdwara to be welcomed by the bride's family and friends. Next, we have the Milni, which is the meeting of the families. Both families will congregate in a large, open area in front of the Gurdwara for the ceremony. Milni is the formal introduction of the key members of both families, accompanied by the exchange of garlands. To start the Milni, the priest will first recite a small prayer, then call the names of the corresponding family members from either side, beginning with the eldest. After the Milni ceremony, breakfast and tea will be served in the Langar hall.
Anand Kaaraj
10:30 am
The Sikh wedding ceremony is known as "Anand Karaj" which means 'Blissful Union." The guests enter into the Main Hall and pay respect to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (holy scripture) by bowing down (option for non-Sikh guests) and then taking a seat in the room with ladies on the right side and gents on the left.
1. Ardas: Couple and parents only 2. Palla Rasam: Father of the Bride gives away Bride, taking one end of the Palla (groom's scarf) of the groom and handing it to the Bride. 3. Laavan (marriage prayer): The Ragis, or Sikh musicians, recite and sing each verse of the Laavan as the couple to walk around Guru Granth Sahib Ji four times. The laavan take the bride and groom through a journey that leads to a union with God and the union of a husband and wife. These are both teachings and vows that they take to seal their marriage union. 4. Kirtan: Devotional singing to bless the union. 5. Ardas (Congregational Prayer): All guests are asked to please stand during this prayer. 6. Karah Prashad: A food offering passed out to all guests following the Ardas. Guests may accept the Prashad, sitting, with hands raised and cupped. It is a made with equal portions of whole-wheat flour, clarified butter, and sugar. 7. After the Prashad is distributed, guests may head to the Langar Hall for Lunch.
Friday, June 20, 2025
Reception
6:00 pm
2 Dole Dr, Westlake Village, CA 91362