Sikh weddings are joyful, traditional, and rich in ritual. This guide walks through the core Anand Karaj ceremony and the celebrations around it.
The Anand Karaj — the wedding ceremony
The Anand Karaj (“blissful union”) is the Sikh wedding ceremony, held in a Gurdwara before the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scripture). The ceremony usually lasts 1-2 hours.
Key parts:
- Ardas: Opening prayer
- Palla rasam: The groom holds one end of a scarf, the bride holds the other — symbolising they are joined
- Lavan: Four hymns sung from the Guru Granth Sahib. The couple walks slowly around the holy book during each hymn, signifying the four stages of married life
- Anand Sahib: Hymns of bliss, closing prayers
- Kara Prashad: Sweet sacred food distributed to all present
Dress code for the ceremony
Heads must be covered inside the Gurdwara — men wear a turban or scarf, women wear a chunni (long scarf). Shoes are removed. Modest dress expected. The bride typically wears a red, pink, or maroon lehenga, salwar kameez, or sari. The groom wears a kurta and turban, often with a sehra (turban decoration).
The days around the wedding
Sikh weddings often span 3-7 days with different ceremonies:
- Sagai or Roka: Formal engagement
- Mehndi: Henna application 1-2 days before
- Sangeet: Music and dance evening
- Maiyan or Haldi: Turmeric paste applied to the couple
- Anand Karaj: The wedding ceremony itself
- Reception: Evening party
Suppliers worth thinking about
- Photographers with Sikh wedding experience
- A Gurdwara for the Anand Karaj
- Mehndi artists for the bride and women
- Dhol players for arrivals, processions, and the reception
- Indian / Punjabi catering
- Mandap or stage decor specialists
- Bollywood DJs who know the music your guests want to dance to
What guests should know
- Cover your head before entering the Gurdwara
- Remove shoes
- Sit on the floor during the ceremony — men on one side, women on the other
- Do not turn your back on the Guru Granth Sahib
- Accept kara prashad with both hands cupped
- The reception is the party — energetic dancing, food, drink