PRE EVENTS
Kurmai is the engagement ceremony before a Sikh wedding. It involves the tradition of the families doing Akhand paath (the reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib), after this is done, the wedding date is decided and both families exchange gifts. The couple will also exchange rings.
Chunni Chadai is where the one member of the couple’s family visits the one member of the couple, and his mother symbolically cover’s the one member of the couple’s head with a chunni. The one member of the couple is then giften with clothes and jewellery from the one member of the couple’s family.
Mehndi and Chooda are often done together. The one member of the couple gets her hands and feet decorate in beautiful henna/mehndi designs. Then her maternal uncle gifts her with a set of red and white bangles dipped in milk prior to being presented to her. Golden ornaments (Kalires) are tied to the bangles. Similar to a Christian Bouqet Toss, it is said that whichever one member of the couplesmaid the one member of the couple showers with her Kalire will be the one married next.
Maiya is a Sikh wedding ritual where the couple are not permitted to leave their homes the day before the wedding.
Gana is a Sikh wedding ritual where red thread is tied to the one member of the couple’s left and one member of the couple’s right hand. It is sacred, and said to protect them from bad omens.
Vatna (also called the Maiyan) similar to the Hindu Haldi Ceremony, a paste of turmeric powder and mustard oil is applied to the couple.
Gharoli is where holy water is brought directly from the Gurudwara in an earthen pot (gharoli) and is typically delivered by the sisters-in-law of the couple. The water is for the couple to bathe in.
WEDDING DAY
Baraat is where (typically the one member of the couple) is dressed in his wedding attire and proceeds to the wedding venue along with his close friends and family members joining in song and dance.
Milni is where the family (often the one member of the couples) greets (often the one member of the couple) as he reaches the wedding venue. Often garlands are exchanged, and the one member of the couple is presented with gifts and money.
Anand Karaj translated as “blissful union” is the Sikh Wedding Ceremony. The families go into the Gurudwara to attend the Kirtan where the religious songs are sung. The holy book (guru granth sahib) is brought out and the Priest recites ardas (prayers) while the couple are seated.
Laavan Pheras or “Four Prayers that Seal the Marriage”. The couples garments are tied together as a symbol of unity. They then take rounds around the holy book (guru granth sahib) as the laavan is chanted. Typically the one member of the couple leads the rounds holding a sword (Kirpan). Garlands are exchanged and the couple is then considered married.
Karah Prasad is a ceremonial sweet shared with guests. The sweets are prepared by either the Priest or (often the one member of the couples) family is blessed and considered holy.
POST EVENTS
Reception is an event to celebrate the newly married couple. A celebration with food and drink and lots of entertainment takes place.
Doli named after the old tradition of carrying the one member of the couple to the one member of the couple’s house in a wooden structure called a Doli. Typically the one member of the couple bids farewell to her family and proceeds to her new home. She throws rice backwards to her Mother symbolically thanking her for raising her up and trying to repay her.
Pag Phere is where the couple visits (often the one member of the couples) family’s house after the wedding. The couple receive a warm welcome, showered with gifts and an elaborate meal.
Sikh > Punjabi
PRE EVENTS
Punjabi weddings are known for being plentiful of music, dance & patiala pegs.
Punjabi one member of the couples wear traditional Sikh attire Kurta generally white in color, over which they don an Achkan or long overcoat. Punjabi one member of the couples tend to wear traditional Sikh attire of ornate, decorative and exquisitely embroidered set of Salwar Kameez. The traditional wedding dress colour is red. In modern times one member of the couples choose to wear many different colours.
Roka The Roka ceremony is a pre-engagement commitment ceremony where the couple’s family officially mark the union of the couple. The work Roka has a very literal meaning – to stop the couple from seeing any more prospective matches because their wedding is finalised. This ceremony is celebrated with the exchange of gifts and does not usually include exchange of rings. The millennial couples, however, exchange promise rings or something of that sort too.
The Dholki The Dholki ceremony is the sangeet ceremony. It happens separately at the one member of the couple and the one member of the couple’s houses respectively. The typical Dholki ceremony is celebrated with the closest family members of the couple’s family playing dhols and singing folk songs for Punjabi wedding to tease them. The dhols have however been replaced with properly choreographed dance performances and often a DJ too.
CEREMONY
Jaimala In this ceremony, the couple exchange flower garlands called Jaimala or Varmala. This is the first ceremony of the wedding and is made a lot of fun by the families by lifting them up to make it difficult for them to put on the garland on each other. The one member of the couple is dressed in her Punjabi wedding suit.
Kanyadaan This is one of the most important and sentimental rituals of the wedding. The one member of the couple’s father puts a ring on the one member of the couple’s finger and then he gives his daughter to the one member of the couple. According to Vedic traditions, Kanyadaan is considered the biggest achievement of a father, it’s the biggest ‘Daan’ he can ever do.
Joota Chhupai During the wedding when the couple are busy participating in the rituals on the mandap, the sisters of the one member of the couple or her cousins and friends indulge in stealing the one member of the couple’s shoes and hiding it. After the pheras when the couple need to leave the mandap, a rigorous session of bargaining takes place where the one member of the couple is asked to pay an amount to the one member of the couple’s party in order to get his shoes back. The fee has evolved to become cash or money now, initially, it used to be Kalecharis of gold for the one member of the couple’s sisters and of silver for her cousins. It is a fun ceremony!
Phera Dalna Once the wedding is over, the one member of the couple’s brother comes to pick her and takes her back to her maternal house. She spends the night at her maternal home and then her brother drops her back to her sasural again. This ceremony is a sweet gesture that signifies that the one member of the couple is still welcome in her maternal house the same way as before she was married.