Sikh Wedding Rituals

The nuptial traditions in this sacred religion spread over a period of a week and are celebrated with fun and splendour. They are performed before, during and after the ceremony and include exchange of gifts and jewellery and clothes among the two families. Several customs take place in both the families and are an integral part of the grand event.

The event starts with the 'Tilak Ceremony' of the groom or the engagement ceremony. In the Chura Ceremony, the maternal uncle and aunt of the bride put red and white bangles on her wrist. During 'Maiya' both the bride and the groom are not allowed to leave their residences. Auspicious red thread is tied during Gana is one of the main customs. A scented powder made of barley flour, turmeric and mustard oil is applied to both of bride and groom in the Vatna cremony. Mehendi Ceremony takes place on the eve of the D-Day. In the next day morning, the groom's sister fills water from the Gurudwara for the groom's bath. This is known as Gharoli.

Now, the celebrations of the wedding day are also rich and interesting. The Milni ceremony is celebrated with the tying up of the 'sehra' on the groom's forehead. Later milni ceremony is held among the elders of both the families as they meet at the bride's place. During the main ceremony, the couple attends the Guru Granth Sahib Kirtan. Then they circle the Guru Granth Sahib, which is followed by the Vidaai ceremony of the bride.

Such momentous occasion in this religion pays a lot of importance to the Guru Granth Sahib. Red is the colour for the bride and the groom has to adorn a sword at the time of the marriage.