If you think that Sikh marriage is limited to dhol and dance only then you’re wrong. If you are planning to visit any Sikh Marriage, you need to learn about all the Sikh marriage, in detail.
Like all the other religious marriages, Sikh marriages are full of color, rituals and delicious food and of course, Patiala Pegs. Have a look at the list of Sikh marriage traditions from the list!
1. Roka
This is the first ritual of the blissful union. It is like an official announcement ceremony, where the bride’s family visits the groom’s house to give them “Sagan” (Gifts/fruits/sweets). The process is followed by the groom’s family visiting the bride’s home and gifting her, jewelry, clothes, and many more gifts.
2. Chunni Ceremony
This is the next ritual of a traditional Sikh wedding. Before the engagement ceremony, the groom’s family gifts a red chunni to the bride-to-be as a symbolic gesture that says, the groom’s mother has accepted her as their daughter-in-law.
3. Sagai
Now, comes the Sagai ceremony, where groom-to-be and bride-to-be, exchange rings. In this grand ceremony, again both families exchange gifts and sweets.
4. Ladies Sangeet
Sangeet ceremony is organized a couple of days before the marriage and both families meet together and sing Punjabi folk songs. The songs are accompanied by dholak and spoons. After folk songs, friends and cousins and relatives also dance to various songs as per their preparation.
5. Mehndi
This is one of the most important wedding traditions that no one can forget. Mehendi or Heena is applied to the bride’s hand and feet and the hands of the groom also. Sister and brother-in-law of the groom take Heena to bride-to-be home and the same is applied to her. Apart from Mehendi they also give dry fruits and dates. In Indian tradition, it is assumed that darker the Heena, more the love!
6. Chura and Kalire Ceremony
Chura means bangles. This tradition of Sikh marriage is a very emotional moment for the bride-to-be and her family members. In this ceremony, the maternal uncle of bride-to-be gifts her set of 21/51 red and white bangles. This is also known as bridal Chura that symbolizes newlywed bride. The bride’s sister and friends tie perfect Kalire to the Chura.
7. The Wedding-Day
This is an auspicious day in itself and lots of activities take place. Start from fetching holy water from the local Gurudwara to groom and bride getting ready and then moving to the wedding venue with all the guests and relatives. There are lots of rituals that take place on the wedding day. After the cheerful banter, relatives from both sides give a pose at Gurudwara. Now, the groom cuts the ceremonial ribbon that begins the blissful union of Anand Karaj.
8. Anand Karaj
Anand Karaj takes place in the main room of Gurudwara Sahib. Guests from both sides pay respect to the holy book Guru Granth Sahib and take their seats on the floor in Darbar Sahib. The groom is escorted by his friends and cousins and takes his seat. Now, the bride is led into the hall by her brothers. Sacred chants are continuously going on and in the backdrop of all this, the bride’s father performs the rituals, i.e. Kanyadaan. The pallu of the groom’s suit is tied to the bride’s wrist and marriage hymns are sung.!
9. The Grand Reception
A splendid feast followed by dance and music. The whole gathering entertains with this spectacle affair.
By now you have learned about all the traditions of Sikh marriage. So, excited to attend the next Sikh marriage?
