When you love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with them, there’s no better way than to get married. However, when it comes to religious unions such as Sikh weddings, things can get a little tricky. The reason being that a Sikh wedding requires both partners to adhere to specific rituals and guidelines in order for the union to be recognized by the faith as well as their respective families. And while it is easy enough for anyone to say ‘I do’ in front of an audience or video camera, for those who wish to remain firm in their beliefs, getting married as a Sikh can be quite a challenge. This article will go into greater detail about what a Sikh marriage entails and how it differs from other types of nuptial ceremonies.
What is a Sikh Wedding?
The word wedding is derived from the Old English word ‘wed’ which means ‘to wed’. And since the word is used for all types of nuptial ceremonies, it is important to understand that the Sikh wedding is not the same as a traditional Hindu wedding or a Christian wedding. Where a typical Hindu wedding ritual is characterized by the exchange of the dowry, groom’s family’s gift to the bride’s family, the Sikh wedding is a union between two individuals who are spiritually connected. The two partners are not seen as two individuals coming together but as one. Similarly, a Christian wedding is often seen as a covenant made between God and man. However, the intention behind a Sikh wedding is to make an oath between the bride and groom in front of the Guru, Panj Pyare as well as the two families.
Why has a Sikh wedding has to be solemnized?
A Sikh wedding is a ritual that is supposed to be followed by every Sikh couple. The reason is that the Guru Granth Sahib is the only religious book that is considered the Guru for Sikhs. And the Guru Granth Sahib does not believe in eloping or clandestine marriages. Therefore, the wedding ceremony has to be performed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. The wedding ceremony also has to be presided over by a religious representative with the authority to solemnize the marriage.
Who can be invited to a Sikh wedding?
The Sikh wedding is more of a religious ceremony in which Sikhs invite the Guru as well as family members and close friends to witness the union. However, the groom’s parents usually invite the groom’s close relatives and friends as well. However, if the groom’s family is not very familiar with the bride’s family then they are free to invite whoever they want to the wedding. However, there are certain people who are not allowed to be a part of the Sikh wedding. These include any person who is a smoker or drinks alcohol, is a divorcée or not in good standing with the community, or is of loose character.
Pre-wedding rituals for the bride and groom
As Sikhism is very focused on cleanliness, both the groom and the bride are supposed to maintain a certain level of cleanliness and purity before the wedding. This is why the bride and groom are expected to put on a special type of clothes called the ‘Kara’ and ‘Kira’ respectively. Both these special types of clothes are supposed to represent chastity and purity. The bride and groom are also supposed to be very careful about what they eat and drink. They are expected to consume only vegetarian food and water that has been churned or boiled. They are also advised to avoid any type of drugs, tobacco, or alcohol to maintain a state of cleanliness.
The day of the wedding – Khandaani and Anand Kaarneeki
The Sikh wedding rituals begin at the bride’s home where a representative of the bride’s family welcomes the groom’s representative. This is followed by the groom’s representative giving the bride’s representative a ‘Shabd’ or a word. This word can be either ‘mukh’ which means mouth, ‘tare’ which means head, ‘pooch’ which means feet, or ‘Nishan’ which means sign. This is then followed by the exchange of gifts between the groom and bride’s representatives and the exchange of a ‘gath’ or a ‘Katra’ gift from the groom to the bride. The ‘gath’ is a basket that contains a number of items that are symbolic of the groom. These include a comb, a mirror, a nail clipping, some coins, and a sweet.
The Anand Kaarneeki
The Anand Kaarneeki is the most important part of the Sikh wedding ceremony. It is the exchange of vows between the groom and the bride in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride and groom sit facing each other while the Guru Granth Sahib is placed between them. While the two families stand behind them to witness the exchange of vows.
The day after the wedding - 10 days of celebration
The Sikh wedding rituals end with a great celebration where the entire family assembles to rejoice and commemorate their happiness. However, the celebrations actually begin the day after the wedding ceremony. This is when the families of both the bride and groom celebrate their relationship. This is also the time when the families are free to display their joy and happiness. They are free to eat, drink, and be merry as they please. They are also allowed to break the rules of the ‘Kara’ and ‘Kira’ during this time. This is because they are considered to be one family and there is no need to maintain any level of purity or chastity.
Conclusion
The Sikh wedding is not only a union between two people but a union of two families as well. Therefore, it is important that both the groom and the bride are ready for the commitment that a wedding and marriage entail. The Sikh wedding is a beautiful ceremony that is a mix of tradition and modernity. It is a ceremony that celebrates the coming together of not just two individuals but two families as well. Therefore, it is important that the bride and groom prepare for it well in advance. If you are getting married as a Sikh, follow these rituals and make your wedding ceremony meaningful and memorable.
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