Nothing cans quite a match the spice for spirit of the Sikhs. Be it the bhangra dance or their food, everything talks of their healthy heartiness and fun romantic nature. Their marriages also are colourful social functions good with conforming ritual and some music and playfulness. A true Sikh marriage ceremony is a particular ceremonial occasion where in two souls fell together to pass the rest of their lifetimes with each other. It is a joyful event and the union is well-known amidst much pomp and show. The Sikh shaadi is well-known as "Anand Karaj" which translated noodles "blissful marriage".
A Sikh marriage ceremony is mostly performed in the Gurudwara (Sikh temple) or in any home where the holy Sikh book, Guru Granth Sahib has been established. The rituals should not be performed in a hotel or a shaadi hall. The spiritual ceremony is generally given in the morning and does not take more than a few hours. Sikh marriages are not as detailed as Hindu marriage ceremonies and are simple and mostly centre on religious practises. The ceremony and the traditions are an entire part of a typical Sikh marriage ceremony.
A Sikh shaadi is also special in the sense that it does not expect the presence of any priest to solemnise the shaadi. The marriage is carried in the presence of the holy book with a man or a woman telling verse lines from it and the dulhan. The groom and the bride have to take four rounds around the holy book. Also there are no prescribed timings to conduct the marriage ceremony. It can be taken at any time of the day or night, though the marriages are generally carried in the dawn.
Prior to the shaadi, an engagement ceremony might be performed by the parents of the dulhan and the dulhe though it is not imposed to do so. This event is normally conducted at the house of the groom or in the Gurudwara (Sikh temple). It contains Ardas (Sikh prayer), Kirtan (hymns) and Langer (meal). The dulhe is given a kirpan, Kara or Indian desserts and the dulhan is gifted traditional Indian clothes and sweets.
The shaadi day a celebration is triggered off by the baraat (family and friends of the dulhe) reaching the dulhan home in the evening. They are received between much joy and merriment. They spend the night at the house of the girl. The following day the shaadi day ceremonies are carried either at the girl's house or at the local Gurudwara (Sikh temple). After the ceremonial occasions are over the festivities remain throughout the day. The following day the groom and the dulhan start to start their new life.
A Sikh dulhan is usually dressed in a bright coloured and heavily embellished shalwar kameez. The duppata (scarf) must cover the head of the bride. At times lehenga chunni is also worn by the dulhan. A Sikh dulhe commonly wears a kurta pyjama. He also wears the pagri (turban). The Sikhs lay a sumptuous meal for their guests. You can expect a fantastic mixture of some of the purest Indian cuisines in the marriage ceremony day menu. The marriage ceremony comes to a decision amidst much enjoyment and regards for the bride and the dulhe as they enter on their new life together.
