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The history and traditions behind the Sikh marriage: Sikhs are encouraged to marry, and marriage is called 'Anand karaj', which means ' the ceremony of happiness'. The Gurus taught that the family life was very important and being married is thought to be a necessary part of this. Many Sikh weddings are arranged marriages, and even if the couple have suggested their marriage the families will still be very involved. The bride should be at least 18 and it is usual for the groom to be older than the bride is. A marriage cannot take place unless both the bride and groom agree to it.

Evening before the wedding:

On the evening before the wedding, the bride's friends and female relatives may meet at her house. They have a party, where she is given money and special sweet foods.

They paint beautiful patterns on her hands and feet with a special dye, which last for several days.

Setting of the wedding:

Sikh weddings usually take place in the morning. They must always take place in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. In Britain, they are usually held in the Gurdwara. Any Sikh may perform the marriage ceremony, provided that both families have chosen him or her.

On the morning of the wedding:

On the morning of the wedding, the bridegroom and his relatives are welcome to the bride's house, where they are given refreshments. Often presents are exchanged; usually things like cloth for turbans or clothing. Then they all go to the Gurdwara. The bridegroom usually wears a red or pink turban and has a scarf around his neck. He sits at the front, in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride's father puts a garland of flowers on the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride enters, with her sister or other female relative. She wears red, often with beautiful gold jewellery. After bowing to the Guru Granth Sahib as usual, she sits next to the bridegroom, and is given a garland of flowers by her father.

The Ceremony:

Readings from the Guru Granth Sahib are an important part of the wedding. The couple and their parents stand while prayers are said asking the God's blessing on the marriage. A passage from the Guru Granth Sahib is read, and the person reading the service gives a talk about marriage and what it means. The couples are asked if they understand and accept their responsibilities to each other as a husband and wife. When they have nodded their agreement the bride's father gives her the one end of the scarf. This is a symbol that they are being joined together as husband and wife. She holds the scarf for the rest of the ceremony.

Lavan:

The most important part of the ceremony follows. This is the reading of the Lavan, a hymn written for weddings by Guru Ramdas. It has four verses, which are spoken one at a time, and then sung. Each verse explains something about marriage.

As each verse is sung, the bride and the groom walk in a clockwise direction around the Guru Granth Sahib. When they have done this for the forth time, they are married. Everyone stands to join in the Ardaas prayer, and there may be speeches before everyone shares the Kara Parshad.

A meal follows, which may be held in the Langar room.

Divorce:

If couple have problems in their marriage, both families will do their best to sort their problems out. If the marriage cannot be saved, divorce is allowed and either person may marry again in the Gurdwara.

whats this doing in ksbkbt section? 😕

***moved to ML***

cool. i love reading bout religious stuff. i find it really intresting. 😃