Information on Global Marriages

How Sikh Weddings Are Performed

Weddings among Sikhs are an extravagant affair. Rituals of a Sikh wedding are more or less similar to that of a Hindu wedding.

Just like Hindus, Sikhs also give more preference to arranged marriages. In Sikh matrimony as well, the parents of a girl and a boy look for a suitable match. Once the parents find a prospective match, preparations of the wedding begin.

Pre Wedding Rituals

Kurmai or Engagement:

Wedding begins with the engagement of the would-be Sikh bride and Sikh groom. It is, usually, a family affair. The family of the bride visits the groom's house with gifts that include sweets, clothes and jewellery. After that, the bride and the groom exchange rings.

During this ceremony, the Sikh priest recites Ardas to bless the couple.

Chunni ceremony or the wedding veil:

The groom's family visits the bride's home after the engagement ceremony. In this ceremony, the family of the bride only invites close relatives and friends. The groom's mother and aunts gift the bride a phulkari (traditional embroidery of Punjab) dupatta. During the chunni ceremony, the mother of the groom applies mehendi or henna on the palms of the bride.

Earlier, in a Sikh wedding, the bride and the groom were confined to the house after the engagement ceremony till their wedding. With changing times, the trend has also changed and now they are confide to their houses just a few days before the marriage.

During this time, the bride and the groom wear just normal clothes to look brighter on the wedding day.

Vatna Ceremony:

This ceremony takes place just a few days before the wedding. In this ceremony, the female relatives of the bride apply turmeric, sandal, cream and rosewater, called ubatan, on her body. A similar kind of ceremony takes place in the house of the groom as well.

Mehendi Ceremony:

After the Vatna ceremony, henna is applied on the hands and feet of the bride and hands of her sisters, friends and other relatives. A lot of merry-making takes place during this occasion. All the guests present in the bride's house indulge themselves in singing and dancing.

The Wedding Day:

Unlike other Indian weddings, a Sikh wedding takes place during or before the noon time. On this day, the sister-in-law of the groom (bhabhi) and other female relatives go to a gurduwara and fill a gharoli (earthen pitcher) with water. The groom takes bath with this water. A similar ritual takes place at the bride's house. After taking bath, the maternal uncle of the bride brings Chura (21 red and white bangles) for the bride. This ritual is called Chura ceremony.

After that, the family of the bride and the family of the groom assemble in a Gurudwara where the actual wedding takes place.

Raagis or professional bards sing asa di var or the morning hymn. Then, the bride and the groom are made to sit in front of the Guru Granth Sahib (Holy book of Sikhs). The Raagi recites the various obligations of a married life. After that, lawaan take place. The groom and the bride are tied with a scarf, which is usually of pink color. The bride and the groom take four rounds of the Granth Sahib. The bride is led by the groom during these rounds. After they complete four rounds, they are pronounced as husband and wife. All those who are assembled in the wedding bless the couple. The wedding ceremony concludes with a big and lavish feast.