Sikh wedding

According to the Rahit Maryada, which is the Sikh Code of Conduct, "A Sikh is any woman or man whose faith consists of belief in one God, the ten Gurus, the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib and of the ten Gurus, who has faith in the amrit of the tenth Guru, and who adheres to no other religion."

Nowadays there are about 23 millions Sikhs (word Sikh means "a strong and able disciple") living all over the world. Most of them, meaning 19 million people, live in the Indian state of Punjab (from Persian "panj ab" or "five waters") located in the northwest of the country. There is also a Punjab region in Pakistan, but with predominantly Muslim population.

Traditional Sikh wedding is also called "Anand Karaj" or "Blissful Union". As in most of world cultures Sikhs have traditions held before the wedding ceremony, at the ceremony and those held after the wedding ceremony.

"Kurmai" or Engagement is not organized at every Sikh wedding. When it is held then it is done a week before the wedding at the "Gurudwara" or at the home of groom. A Gurudwara or "the doorway to the guru" is a Sikh place of worship (temple). The most important gurudwara is the Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple in city of Amritsar located in the Indian state of Punjab.

Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple

Kurmai in the Gurudwara includes "Ardaas" (the common Sikh prayer), "Kirtan" (hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and "langer" (community meal).

If Kurmai is performed at the home of the groom, the bride arrives there with "kara" (metal bracelet), "kirpan" (ceremonial sword) or traditional sweets. She also brings objects that are believed to be good omen. These are coconut, "chhuhare" (dry dates), sugar and money. Bride's family gets a a traditional suit and some sweets for the bride.

Kirpan

"Maiya" is a traditional belief stating that the bride and groom are not allowed to leave their homes or change clothes few days before the wedding.

"Gana" is a red thread tied to the right wrist of the groom and the left wrist of the bride. The gana worn by bride often has objects like cowrie shells, an iron key chain, pearls and a small silken bundle (with some sugar) attached to it.

Few days before the wedding "vatna" or scented powder which is made of barley flour, turmeric and mustard oil is applied to the bodies of the bride and groom. After that there is a ritual bath. On the evening of the wedding or as Sikhs would say "mehndi ki raat" the henna tattoo is made on the hands and feet of the bride.

"Gharoli" ceremony is held in morning of the wedding day in the groom's house. During the ceremony the groom's sister-in-law with some female relatives go to a well or Gurudwara to fill a "gharoli" or a special decorated jug with water. The water is later used to bath the groom.

"Kahare Charna" is yet another of pre-wedding ceremonies. The groom is sitting on a stool doing his bath and four girls are holding a cloth over his head.

Bride's maternal uncle or "mama" takes the bride for the "chooda" ceremony. She wears a "chooda" or set of red and white ivory (nowadays many used bone or plastic) bangles. These bangles have been dipped in "kachchi lassi" or buttermilk.

The tradition is to wear 21 bangles, but today most brides wear 7 or 9 bangles. Today the bride wears the chooda for month and a quarter. Traditionally it would be for at least a year. Bride's close female relatives tie "kaleeren" or golden metal danglers to the bride's wrist. The maternal uncles put the "nath" which is a traditional nose ring for the bride. In the past big Shikarpuri rings were popular. They covered large part of the face.

"Sehrabandi" is held in the groom's home. Groom's sister tie a "sehera" or ceremonial floral veil to the groom's forehead. It is believed that the sehra brings the status of "Vishnu" (the creator) on the groom. Traditionally Sikh groom must wear a turban, sehra and carry a sword. He also has to sport a beard. Then some of groom's close relatives put garlands made of paper money on groom's neck.