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25 Sikh Wedding Traditions - The Joy and Festivities
25 Sikh Wedding Traditions - The Joy and Festivities |Aug 07, 2024
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A wedding is the beginning of a journey that depends on love and commitment. Sikh weddings are beautiful with their rich traditions that have been cherished for generations. These ceremonies are also known as Anand Karaj, which means a blissful union and it's not just a celebration of two individuals but also the beginning of a spiritual journey of two souls under the guidance of Guru Granth Sahib. This blog contains complete details on every Sikh wedding tradition and everything you need to know. Each ceremony at a Sikh wedding is very close to tradition, carries deep symbolism, and reflects the values of equality, unity, and devotion that are central to Sikhism. Go through this blog and get an idea about everything and be captivated by the beauty and spirituality of a Sikh wedding. You may also like to read: 1. 28 Lehenga Dupatta Draping Styles - Flaunt Your Dupatta Like a Pro 2. How Baraat Showcase India's Rich Cultural Heritage - The Beat Goes On 3. 35 Different Saree Draping Styles: From Ancient Roots to Contemporary Trends Sikh pre-wedding rituals involve the togetherness of cultural richness, familial bonds, and spiritual vows. All the rituals are truly and deeply rooted in tradition and pave the way for the union of two souls through marriage. Each ritual carries its unique significance and adds a celebration of love and commitment. Here are some of the vibrant pre-wedding ceremonies at a Sikh wedding: Roka and Thaka is the first ceremony in the sikh pre-wedding celebration. Here the bride, and the two families, come to a formal engagement. The roka is the initial ceremony and signifies the agreement and acceptance of the marriage proposal. It also includes the exchange of some gifts and sweets between both families which symbolises their consent and blessings for the couple. After the Roka, there comes the Thaka, where the engagement ceremony solidifies and the groom's family visits the bride's home to give her gifts and formalise the union. The next ceremony after Roka and Thaka is Kurmai. In this sikh ceremony, the engagement gets more formalised. It is often conducted at the Gurudwara in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, involving prayers and the seeking of blessings for the couple’s future life together. The families of both bride and groom exchange rings, and gifts marking the commitment. The third ceremony in sikh prewedding rituals is Shagan. It is the ceremonial giving of blessings and gifts to the bride and groom by their respective families. Mostly, the groom’s family visits the bride's home with gifts, sweets, clothes, and jewellery as a token of love and blessings. Chunni Chadana ceremony of Sikhs involves the groom’s family visiting the bride’s home where the mother of the groom places a red or pink scarf also known as chunni over the bride's head. This act symbolises the acceptance of the bride by the groom’s family. The bride will also be adorned with some traditional jewellery signifying her soon-to-be married status. Next is the Maiya ceremony where the cleansing and purifying rituals will be performed separately in the homes of the bride and groom a few days before the wedding. After this ceremony, the bride and groom are not allowed to leave their homes until the wedding day. Family members apply a paste made from turmeric, flour, and mustard oil to the bride and groom purifying them for the wedding day. Vatnaa is a Sikh pre-wedding rite in which family members apply a specially prepared paste made from turmeric powder, sandalwood, and mustard oil to the bride and groom's bodies. This ceremony is thought to beautify and purify the couple before their wedding. This ceremony among Sikhs takes place five days before the wedding. A huge wok (karahi) will be placed to cook food and that will be given to all the guests visiting the house up until the wedding day. A Sikh warna rite involves waving money around the couple's heads in a clockwise direction. This money will be given to charity later. It is believed that by completing this ritual, the bride and groom will be free of any evil energy surrounding them. In this pre-wedding ceremony among Sikhs, a red thread is tied to the groom’s right wrist and the left wrist of the bride. Gaana is a symbol of protection from evil as well as the representation of soon-to-married. The mehndi ceremony is a vibrant and joyous occasion where henna is applied in intricate designs to the hands and feet of the bride. It symbolises beauty, joy, and spiritual awakening. This ceremony celebrates the togetherness of family and friends with the most upbeat songs and dances. Check out our Amazing Mehendi Lehenga collection here. Check out our Mehendi Saree collection now. The Chura ceremony involves the bride wearing a set of beautiful red and white bangles gifted by her maternal uncle and aunt, signifying her marital status. Next is Kalire, ornate umbrella-shaped hangings tied to the bangles by the bride’s sisters and friends. The bride then shakes the Kalire over the heads of unmarried girls and it is believed that if a piece or leaf falls on someone, she will be the next to marry. Read more about: 1. 13 Chic Indo-Western Outfit Ideas from MSU's Designers: Fashion Without Borders 2. How to Find the Perfect Saree Color for Your Skin Tone? 3. 85 Saree Blouse Designs From Runway to Everyday For traditional Sikh weddings, the grooms wear a white kurta and an achkan or long coat, over it. Achkan is made from high-end fabrics like silk or brocade; nowadays, the groom prefers kurtas over traditional Achkan. This achkan, or sherwani, has a lot of threadwork, beads, and sometimes precious stones. Other than achkan or sherwani, kurta sets are also a different option for grooms to wear on their wedding day. Mojri is an embellished slipper and a part of the groom’s wedding attire. As a sign of his Sikh faith, the groom has to grow a beard and wear a turban around the head, which is usually made of pink cloth. Most Sikh brides love to wear very fancy, ornate, and beautifully embroidered sets of salwar kameez. Red is the traditional colour for wedding dresses. But now it's mostly up to the bride, as she can pick the colour she thinks best suits her. And there is a dupatta to cover the head of the bride. Apart from sarees, lehengas are the most popular choice and they can be worn with traditional necklaces, earrings, panjas, bangles, payal, and mangtika. Sikh wedding ceremonies are beautiful from one another. All the wedding rituals are performed with the utmost respect and following Sikh religious practices. Here are some of the key rituals at a Sikh wedding. Sehra Bandi is a Sikh wedding rite during which the groom's family prepares him for the wedding. A sehra, a ceremonial floral or beaded veil tied around the head to complement the turban, will be worn by the groom. Before the groom leaves for the wedding, there will be prayers chanted for happiness and prosperity. The groom’s sister-in-law puts dot kohl or Surma on the side of his forehead to protect him from any negative energy. The groom’s turban is then embellished with Kalgi, a decorative brooch often adorned with jewels, signifying his stature on this special day. Baraat, the groom's arrival to greet the bride’s family at the Gurudwara. The arrival can be made a little more dramatic by the groom riding a horse. But nowadays, people choose luxury cars or motorcycles. Along with the groom, there will be his family and friends, also known as baraatis, stepping and singing to the music. Milni or introductions of both families, as well as the celebration of the union. The major emphasis in the introduction is placed on the families' roles. Everyone from the bride's family meets everyone from the groom’s family. The elders of the family exchange their introductions over a cup of tea or sweets. There is also this custom of giving cash and clothes to the groom’s close relatives, from oldest to youngest, by the bride's family. Anand Karaj, also known as the ceremony of joy, takes place in Gurdwara or a suitable location where the Guru Granth Sahib is respectfully placed. The couple, along with the congregation, offer their respect to the holy scripture, signalling the start of the ceremony. Before the commencement of the formal wedding rites, everyone stands for Ardas, a communal prayer to seek blessings from the almighty for the soon-to-be-wed couple. The entire congregation participates in the solemn prayer. The core of the Sikh wedding ceremony, Lavan Pheras involves the couple walking around the Guru Granth Sahib in a clockwise direction four times while wedding hymns called Lavaan are recited. Each phera signifies a vow and a stage in the couple’s spiritual journey together. The groom leads the pheras followed by the bride holding the end of the groom’s scarf. Sikhia also known as Asaa di Vaar, includes the singing of religious hymns and teaching from the Guru Granth Sahib. These teachings reinforce the concepts of love, equality, and the spiritual duties of a married life. Post the Lavan Pheras, the couple sits down to listen to the ‘Anand Sahib path’, which are religious hymns of joy and bliss. It is a prayer that conveys the hope for a joyful and prosperous married life. The culmination of the wedding ceremony is the partaking of Langar, a community kitchen meal served to all guests as a symbol of equality and oneness. Everyone sits together and enjoys the meal, emphasising the central Sikh tenet of communal harmony and sharing. In Sikh weddings, even after the grand wedding, the celebration is not yet finished. These post-wedding rituals not only celebrate the newlyweds but also signify the beginning of their new life together and the integration of the bride into the groom’s family. Sadaa Suhagan is a ritual aimed at blessing the bride with a long and happy married life. In this ritual, the women in the groom’s family, mostly the married ones, offer prayers and blessings for the bride. The bride will be given gifts, tokens of love, and advice on leading a harmonious married life. The significance of this ceremony is to welcome the bride into her family and wish her prosperity. In wedding traditions, the reception is hosted by the groom’s side after the official wedding ceremony. Unlike the wedding, which adheres to specific rituals, the reception is typically a celebration of the new union with friends, family, music, dance, and dinner. It is also an opportunity for those who might not have attended the wedding to celebrate with the newlyweds. The reception is more about entertaining the guests and showcasing the joy of the union of both families. Check out our Reception Lehenga collection now. Check out our Reception Saree collection now. Jaggo is a pre-wedding ritual but sometimes they are performed after the wedding as a post-wedding celebration. It involves the family dancing and singing with a pot filled with illuminated candles or diyas, parading around their locality or venue. It symbolises bringing light and energy into the post-wedding celebrations as part of the festive atmosphere. Doli is a post-wedding celebration, marking the official departure of the bride from her parental home to her in-laws’ house, symbolising the bride leaving her home and family to start a new life with her husband. In the past, brides were taken to their new homes in a palanquin called a doli. These days, most brides use cars instead. The bride then gives a tearful farewell and as she steps out, she throws back puffed rice over her head, symbolising paying back her parents for everything they have given her. After going through the details of the Sikh wedding traditions, you will have understood the special meaning each tradition holds. These customs come together not just to celebrate the couple getting married but also to the close community around them. Sikh weddings are enriched with beautiful and meaningful moments and fun parties that show how important family, friends, and faith are. Each tradition is a way to wish the couple a happy future and to enjoy a day full of love and community spirit. 
Pre-Wedding Rituals in Sikh Weddings
1. Roka And Thaka
2. Kurmai
3. Shagan
4. Chunni Chadana
5. Maiya
6. Vatnaa
7. Karahi Chadana
8. Warna
9. Gaana
10. Mehndi
11. Chura And Kalire
Specialties of Sikh Wedding Attire
Sikh Wedding Rituals
12. Sehra Bandi
13. Soorma And Kalgi
14. Baraat
15. Milni
16. Anand Karaj
17. Ardas
18. Lavan Pheras
19. Sikhia
20. Anand Sahib
21. Langar
Post-wedding Rituals of Sikh Wedding Traditions
22. Sadaa Suhagan
23. Reception
24. Jaggo
25. Doli
Wrapping Up
