Anand Karaj
Our Indian Sikh Wedding Ceremony
The first ceremony scheduled on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 to unite Nathan and Darlene will consist of the Anand Karaj ceremony. As per tradition, this ceremony must start in the early morning and finish by noon. Below you will find an overview of the meaning and rituals associated with the ceremony. If you have never been inside a Sikh temple, which we call a Gurdwara, please check out the helpful section entitled, "Inside a Sikh Temple."
OVERVIEW OF THE ANAND KARAJ CEREMONY
Anand Karaj (Punjabi: ਅਨੰਦ s ਕਾਰਜ s , anand kĝraj) is the name given to the Sikh wedding ceremony, literally translated as "Blissful Event". Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman; a true partnership of equals in marriage is made between those who are united in spirit as well as in mind and body. Marriage is regarded as a strong lifetime bond between the bride and groom and a union between both the families of the bride and groom. A couple leading a happy, strong and fulfilling relationship will provide a base for a strong, united and coherent community.
Based on a concept depicted in Laava, or stanzas in our holy book, the Sikh marriage is not merely a physical and legal contract but is a fusion of the souls; a holy union between two souls, where physically they appear as two individual bodies but in fact are united as one. The couple must feel and think alike and both must be completely identified with the other, i.e. they need to become "Ek Jot Doe Murti" meaning "one spirit in two bodies".
The Laava are read and then sung during the ceremony to formalize and sanctify the marriage. The Sikh religious wedding ceremony, which almost always takes place in a Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, is held in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (or SGGS for short) which is the name of the Sikh holy scripture and the Sadh sangat, the holy congregation.
The Four Rounds
The main part of the Anand Karaj is the reading and then the singing of each laav in turn. When the Laav is sung, the couple as a pair joint by a piece of cloth walk in a circle around the SGGS. When the couple circle the SGGS, each time they are making a commitment to God with the Guru as spiritual witness and support. And as one circles the Sri Guru Granth Sahib you are reminded that the Guru should be the center of your life, from which springs your spiritual guidance and understanding that you require for your souls long journey across this world ocean. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the center and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly witness and support.
The four nuptial rounds were written by Guru Ram Das for his own wedding. They explain the journey of the souls toward the Almighty. In them he tells us of the duties that a person undertaking a life of marriage should perform.
In the first round, the Guru asks the partners to:
-Information graciously taken from SikhiWiki at http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Anand_Karaj
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT TO WEAR TO THE ANAND KARAJ CEREMONY, PLEASE CLICK THE WHAT TO WEAR SECTION AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.
The first ceremony scheduled on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 to unite Nathan and Darlene will consist of the Anand Karaj ceremony. As per tradition, this ceremony must start in the early morning and finish by noon. Below you will find an overview of the meaning and rituals associated with the ceremony. If you have never been inside a Sikh temple, which we call a Gurdwara, please check out the helpful section entitled, "Inside a Sikh Temple."
OVERVIEW OF THE ANAND KARAJ CEREMONY
Anand Karaj (Punjabi: ਅਨੰਦ s ਕਾਰਜ s , anand kĝraj) is the name given to the Sikh wedding ceremony, literally translated as "Blissful Event". Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman; a true partnership of equals in marriage is made between those who are united in spirit as well as in mind and body. Marriage is regarded as a strong lifetime bond between the bride and groom and a union between both the families of the bride and groom. A couple leading a happy, strong and fulfilling relationship will provide a base for a strong, united and coherent community.
Based on a concept depicted in Laava, or stanzas in our holy book, the Sikh marriage is not merely a physical and legal contract but is a fusion of the souls; a holy union between two souls, where physically they appear as two individual bodies but in fact are united as one. The couple must feel and think alike and both must be completely identified with the other, i.e. they need to become "Ek Jot Doe Murti" meaning "one spirit in two bodies".
The Laava are read and then sung during the ceremony to formalize and sanctify the marriage. The Sikh religious wedding ceremony, which almost always takes place in a Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, is held in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (or SGGS for short) which is the name of the Sikh holy scripture and the Sadh sangat, the holy congregation.
The Four Rounds
The main part of the Anand Karaj is the reading and then the singing of each laav in turn. When the Laav is sung, the couple as a pair joint by a piece of cloth walk in a circle around the SGGS. When the couple circle the SGGS, each time they are making a commitment to God with the Guru as spiritual witness and support. And as one circles the Sri Guru Granth Sahib you are reminded that the Guru should be the center of your life, from which springs your spiritual guidance and understanding that you require for your souls long journey across this world ocean. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the center and the Sadh Sangat is your worldly witness and support.
The four nuptial rounds were written by Guru Ram Das for his own wedding. They explain the journey of the souls toward the Almighty. In them he tells us of the duties that a person undertaking a life of marriage should perform.
In the first round, the Guru asks the partners to:
- commit to righteousness
- renounce sinful actions
- Remember, mediate and embrace Naam
- Worship the one Waheguru and all your sins will vanish
- have fear of God and your ego will disappear
- Sing God's praises and feel His presence
- God is everywhere, outside and within, sing in Joy
- meeting the Sadh Sangat (Holy Congregation)
- Recite Gurbani and sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord
- The Naam will vibrates and resounds within your heart
- God's Will seems sweet to these Gurmukhs.
- You will lovingly focus your consciousness on the Lord, day and night
- All your desires will be fulfilled
- The Souls will blend with Waheguru and only Naam will occupy your heart.
-Information graciously taken from SikhiWiki at http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Anand_Karaj
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT TO WEAR TO THE ANAND KARAJ CEREMONY, PLEASE CLICK THE WHAT TO WEAR SECTION AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE.