FAQs

Question

Background for our Indian wedding: The henna

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Background Sikhism, a monotheistic religion, was founded in the 15th century in Northern India, in a region now known as Punjab. Sikhism comes from the word Sikh, which in turn comes from Sanskrit meaning "disciple." Sikhs seek guidance from the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus, as well as the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the Holy Scripture), a collection of spiritual poetry. What to expect at the Maiyan Mehndi (Henna) Mehndi is one of the pre wedding rituals in Indian weddings. Mehndi signifies beautification and is ornamental for the soon to be bride. The bride’s mehndi is applied to her hands and feet. It interweaves the name of her groom and he is expected to find his name in the pattern. The female guests also apply mehndi to their palms to take part in the celebration.

Question

What is the jago event?

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Jago Jago ceremony is a fast paced and energetic event. It allows family and friends to rejoice and dance together in celebration. A pot (gaggar) is decorated with candles and carried on the head whilst dancing and singing jago songs. The word jago means “wake up” and gets everyone in the mood for what is to come. The jago ceremony starts with an aunt colourfully dressed in a traditional Punjabi Ghaghara dancing with the pot on her head. The pot is then passed around the rest of the family and friends where they take their turn in the Jago alongside everyone else.

Question

What to expect at the Indian ceremony

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The Gurdwara (the Sikh temple) As a sign of respect to the Sikh traditions and faith, before entering the ceremony hall where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present, all are asked to cover their head and take off their shoes. Anand Karaj (the wedding ceremony) The Sikh wedding ceremony is called Anand Karaj, meaning “blissful union.” Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond between the groom and bride in spirit, mind and body. As family and friends (the sangat) gather in the ceremony hall, Kirtan (religious hymns) are sung. As a sign of respect to the knowledge it bestows, all bow to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib upon entry to the ceremony hall before sitting on the floor amongst the sangat. Once the sangat has seated, Jamison enters with his family and groomsmen. Jamison bows and sits in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The bridal party then enters shortly after with Minte escorted by her family. She bows and sits beside Jamison on his left.

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What happens at the ceremony

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Ardaas (Sikh prayer) The couple and their parents rise for Ardaas, a prayer asking for God’s blessings in their marriage of their children. The rest of the sangat remains seated. Then the Raagi (Priests) start the wedding by singing shabads (religious hymns). Each part of the ceremony has special shabads before and after it. Palla Ceremony (giving away the bride) Minte’s family places one end of a Palla (scarf) in Jamisons hand, passes it over the shoulder and places the other end into his daughter’s hand. It symbolizes the family of the bride blessing the couple Laavan (the four vows of marriage) The Sikh Marriage Hymns are called Laavan, and mark the most significant part of the wedding ceremony. The recitation of the four verses signifies the unification of two people on a single spiritual journey. The couple is guided to strive towards perfect and happy union in all aspects of life: the physical, the material, the intellectual, the emotional and the spiritual.

Question

What happens before the ceremony starts

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Baraat (the marriage procession) The traditional arrival of the groom’s family to the bride’s village is called the Baraat. Jamison’s family and friends arrive at the temple. Jamison will arrive on a horse with his family and friends dance in front of him until they reach the Milni, or the meeting point, at the entry of the Sikh temple. A shabad (hymn), titled “Hum Ghar Saajan Aye” is recited to welcome the baraat, meaning “friends have come to our home and we are filled with happiness to meet these good souls.” Milni (the meeting) After a short prayer, relatives from Jamison’s family join one by one with their counterparts from Minte’s family. They exchange flower garlands. This is symbolic of the union of the two families.

Question

What does each lap during the ceremony represent

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Each Laav is read first and then sung during which time the couple will rise and circle the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Jamison leads in a clock-wise direction with Minte holding the Palla and following closely. The couple walks with their focus on their center and their spiritual journey together. Minte’s brothers and male cousins stand behind the couple around the circle, to show their support and give their blessings. When the couple completes the circle, they both bow together symbolizing their understanding and acceptance of the Laav, and then sit down. This is repeated four times. The first Laav directs the couple to let go of the past and embark on a new beginning. It discusses that the center of the marriage is spiritual and success of marriage rests on the couple having a daily spiritual practice.

Question

What does each lap during the ceremony represent continued

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The second Laav affirms the importance of selfless love without fear and ego. The couple is filled with divine love. The third Laav encourages the couple to see the light in everyone—and live in love, happiness and the community at large. The fourth Laav signifies serenity or “Sahej,” the final stage of harmony and balance in married life during which human love blends with the love of God. After the Laavan, the couple is officially married.

Question

What happens after the 4 laps are completed ?

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Anand Sahib This hymn is sung to signify the Anand (the eternal bliss) that one has attained from a spiritual union with God. Ardaas (Closing prayer) In Ardaas, the closing prayer, the entire sangat stands and places their hands together in prayer, seeking blessings for the couple and for the good of all mankind. Gurvaak Following the Ardaas, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is opened to a page at random. A passage from the page is read to serve as a message and guidance for the day. Serving of Karah Prashad Sweet soft porridge (made with wheat flour, sugar and butter) is passed around to the sangat, which is accepted with both hands. This marks the closing of the service.

Question

Once the ceremony is completed what happens next?

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Langar (lunch) Langar, a community kitchen, was created by the first guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Langar is a vegetarian meal served after every service and stands for the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, color, age, gender or social status. Everyone sits together and eats the same meal. This also expresses the ethics of sharing, community and oneness of all human

Question

Please see the following link for a full description of what to expect at a Indian wedding!

Answer

https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Attending_a_Sikh_Wedding