Sikh Marriage Ceremony

The Sikh marriage ceremony is also known as Anand Karaj meaning "blissful union". Anand Karaj consists of the couple revolving around Guru Granth Sahib Ji four times as the #Laava# (Marriage Hymns) are being recited. Revolving is the sign of making commitment with the Guru as a witness. During the marriage ceremony, Guru Granth Sahib Ji represents the core while the congregation (Sadh Sangat) represents the support.

Sikh Gurus define marriage as: "They are not husband and wife who only have physical contact; rather they are wife and husband who have one spirit in two bodies."
The bride and bridegroom then share their life, happiness and sorrow; from two individuals they become 'Ek Jot Doe Murti' meaning one spirit in two bodies.

During the marriage ceremony, as soon as the bride, groom and the two families are assembled the Milnee is performed, which involves the meeting of parents and close relatives of the bride and groom and exchange of presents. The marriage ceremony is conducted in Gurdwara Sahib .
Appropriate hymns for the occasion are sung while, family, friends, and guests arrive.

The groom is first seated before Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the bride takes her place on his left.
The couple and their parents are asked to stand while the rest of congregation remains seated.
A prayer is then conducted invoking God's blessings for the proposed marriage and asking His Grace for the union of the couple.
This connotes the consent of the bride and the groom and their parents.
The parties then resume their seats and a short hymn is sung.

This is followed by a brief speech addressed particularly to the couple, explaining the significance of marriage.
The couple is then asked to honor their vows by bowing together before Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Then the bride's father places one end of saffron-colored scarf in the groom's hand, passing it over the shoulder and placing the other end in the bride's hand. Thus joined, the two will take the vows. This is followed by a short hymn.

Laava (Marriage Hymn) from Guru Granth Sahib Ji are then read and sung by the musicians while the couple slowly encircles Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The groom leads in a clock-wise direction and the bride, holding the scarf, follows as nearly as possible in step. When the couple reaches the front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, they both bow together and take their respective seats.
The same protocol is repeated for the remainder three verses.
The 4 verses of Lavan explain the four stages of love and married life. The translation of Laava read as follows:

First Laava (Emphasizes the performance of duty to the family and the community)

Second Laava (Signifies the stage of yearning and love for each other)

Third Laava (Signifies the stage of detachment or Virag)

Fourth Laava (Signifies the final stage of harmony and union in married life during which human love blends into the love for God)

The ceremony is concluded with the customary singing of the six stanzas of the Anand Sahib (Song of Bliss), followed by Ardas (Prayer), and Vak (a random reading of a verse from Guru Granth Sahib Ji). The ceremony, which takes about an hour, ends with the serving of Karah Parshad (Sweet Pudding) to the congregation.

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