Sikh marriage

Anand Karaj is the prescribed form of Sikh marriage, the words literally translate as 'Blissful Union'. The Sikh marriage is a joyous and festive family event. Rather informal in nature the Sikh marriages believe in resting the ultimate choice with the bride and the groom. The Reht Maryada which is The Official Sikh Code of Conduct specifies that no thought should be given to the perspective spouses caste, race or lineage. As long as both the boy and girl profess the Sikh faith and no other faith they may be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony. The Reht Maryada strictly forbids any sort of dowry arrangement and consulting horoscopes or following any other superstitions pertaining to determining a wedding date or time. An engagement ceremony called the 'kurmai' is not required but is sometimes performed typically one week before the wedding. It is usually conducted in the Gurdwara or at the home of the groom. It involves Ardas (the common Sikh prayer), Kirtan (hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and langar (common meal) if performed in the Gurdwara. If performed at home, the brides family visit the house of the groom for a short time. In both cases the groom is usually presented with a kara (bangle), kirpan or Indian sweets. The brides family in turn are presented with the wedding dress clothes and sweets for the bride. The Sikh marriage is typically a three day affair which begins with the Baraat (groom's family and friends) setting off for the bride's house in the evening. They are received, entertained and hosted by the bride's family and spend the night at her house. The following day the ceremony takes place at the local Gurdwara or at the bride's home. Following the religious ceremonial festivities, song and dance continue throughout the day till the groom and his family departs with the bride the following day. In the west because of time constraints wedding are usually conducted in a day that it is over in a day or maximum two. Usually the wedding ceremony is performed in the morning followed by a dinner and dance banquet in a hall or hotel at night, or the religious ceremony and banquet take place on consecutive days. Anand Karaj is the prescribed form of Sikh marriage, the words literally translate as 'Blissful Union". The Sikh marriage is a joyous and festive family event. Rather informal in nature the Sikh marriages believe in resting the ultimate choice with the bride and the groom. The Reht Maryada which is The Official Sikh Code of Conduct specifies that no thought should be given to the perspective spouses caste, race or lineage. As long as both the boy and girl profess the Sikh faith and no other faith they may be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony. The Reht Maryada strictly forbids any sort of dowry arrangement and consulting horoscopes or following any other superstitions pertaining to determining a wedding date or time. The Anand Karaj ceremony can be performed in any Gurdwara or home where Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been respectfully installed. The religious ceremony cannot be performed in a hotel or banquet hall. There are no set 'mahurat' or specific timing for the ceremony to start or end although they are usually performed in the morning with the religious ceremony taking no more than a few hours. An engagement ceremony called the 'kurmai' is not required but is sometimes performed typically one week before the wedding. It is usually conducted in the Gurdwara or at the home of the boy. It involves Ardas (the common Sikh prayer), Kirtan (hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and langar (common meal) if performed in the Gurdwara. If performed at home, the brides family visit the house of the groom for a short time. In both cases the groom is usually presented with a kara (bangle), kirpan or Indian sweets. The brides family in turn are presented with the wedding dress clothes and sweets for the bride. The Sikh marriage is typically a three day affair which begins with the Baraat (groom's family and friends) setting off for the bride's house in the evening. They are received, entertained and hosted by the bride's family and spend the night at her house. The following day the ceremony takes place at the local Gurdwara or at the bride's home. Following the religious ceremonial festivities, song and dance continue throughout the day till the groom and his family departs with the bride the following day. In the west because of time constraints wedding are usually conducted in a day that it is over in a day or maximum two. Usually the wedding ceremony is performed in the morning followed by a dinner and dance banquet in a hall or hotel at night, or the religious ceremony and banquet take place on consecutive days.