Anand Karaj
Encyclopedia
Anand Karaj is the Sikh
marriage ceremony, meaning "Blissful Union" or "Joyful Union", that was introduced by Guru Amar Das
. The four Lavan (marriage hymns which take place during the marriage ceremony) were composed by his successor, Guru Ram Das
. It was originally legalised in India through the passage of the Anand Marriage Act 1909 but is now governed by the Sikh Reht Maryada (Sikh code of conduct and conventions) that was issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
(SGPC). It dictates that only those who follow the Sikh religion may marry under the ceremony, therefore, Sikhs cannot marry persons professing other religions under it. It also states that child marriage is invalid and that no account should be taken of the prospective spouse's caste. However, in practice, many Sikhs take preference in people from their caste.
The Anand Karaj usually takes place at a gurdwara
(Sikh temple), although not necessarily so; the marriage may also be conducted at the bride's residence or any other place where the Guru Granth Sahib
(Sikh holy book) has been installed. If the marriage takes place somewhere other than a gurdwara, the place must be suitable and the Guru Granth Sahib must be installed following the proper procedure. Any Amritdhari (man or woman who is a strict adherent of Sikhism) may perform the marriage ceremony.
In a recent verdict of the Sri Akaal Takht Sahib,ie. a Hukumnama, Anand Karaj will take place only in the Gurudwara as Sri Guru Granth Sahib will not be taken to any marriage hall for that purpose.
couple and their families:
- Marriage is a partnership of equals.
- No consideration is to be given to Caste, Social Status, Race or lineage.
- No Dowry is allowed.
- No day is considered holier above any other, hence no astrological considerations are to be made and no superstitions are to be observed in fixing the date of the wedding.
- The religious ceremony to take place in a Gurdwara or in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib
.
-Burden of the cost of the wedding to be shared as equally as possible.
The Anand Karaj ceremony is joyous and festive event in which families and friends from both sides are heavily involved. Most Sikh weddings take place in the morning and are completed before noon. Following the ceremony is a langar or a formal lunch. The wedding event can last for the whole day and may spill into the next day.
Most families combine the wedding ceremony with the engagement ceremony called the "Kurmai", where the Kurmai is held just before the wedding vows or Laava
. The engagement ceremony can also be held as a separate event on a different day. It is usually conducted in the Gurdwara
or at the home of the Groom-to-be. It involves Ardas
, Kirtan
, "Sagaan" (Exchange of gifts) and Langar. In the "Sagaan" ceremony, the groom is presented with a kara, kirpan, Indian sweets, fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts. The bride-to-be's family in turn are presented with garments and sweets for the Bride-to-be.
Unlike in the West, most marriages among Sikhs, as also in India
as a whole, are arranged. It is regarded as a duty for the parents to arrange for, and actively contribute towards, the marriage of their offspring. Prem Sumarag, an eighteenth century work on Sikh social code, lays down: When a girl attains maturity, it is incumbent upon her parents to look for a suitable match for her. It is neither desirable nor proper to marry a girl at tender age. The daughter of a Sikh should be given in marriage to a Sikh. If a man is a believer in Sikhism, is humble by nature, and earns his bread by honest means, with him matrimony may be contracted without a question and without consideration for wealth and riches.
The Namdhari reform movement of the mid 19th century made the practice of Anand ceremony a vital plank in its programme as did the later, more widely influential Singh Sabha. But there was opposition from the Arya Samajis and Brahman priestly classes, the former anxious to prove that the Sikhs were but a sect of the Hindus and hence subject to Hindu Law, and the latter apprehensive of a reduction in their clientele and income. The Sikh form of wedding ceremonial eventually received legal sanction through the Anand Marriage Act which was adopted in 1909.
The ceremony is now universally observed by the Sikhs.
A Month or So before the Big Day…
The Week before…
The Night before…
Astrological or horoscopic considerations are discountenanced in Sikh calculations. Matters such as the strength of the barat (the bridegroom's party), timing of arrival and departure, duration of stay, are also decided mutually so that the bride's parents may make suitable arrangements. Before setting out, the bridegroom may go to a gurdwara to make obeisance and offer ardas before the Guru Granth Sahib.
What to wear?
At Indian weddings, people prefer to always stay in the latest Indian trends. Here are what most ladies and men will be wearing at these ceremonies
in marriage. Both the husband and wife are seen as being equal. Any Sikh widow or widower is allowed to marry another person.
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
marriage ceremony, meaning "Blissful Union" or "Joyful Union", that was introduced by Guru Amar Das
Guru Amar Das
Guru Amar Das was the third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 26 March 1552.-His life:...
. The four Lavan (marriage hymns which take place during the marriage ceremony) were composed by his successor, Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das was the fourth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism and was given the title of Sikh Guru on 30 August 1574.-Early life:Ram Das was born in Lahore, Punjab on 24 September 1534[1] to a Sodhi family of the Khatri clan. His father was Hari Das and his mother Anup Devi. His wife was Bibi Bhani,...
. It was originally legalised in India through the passage of the Anand Marriage Act 1909 but is now governed by the Sikh Reht Maryada (Sikh code of conduct and conventions) that was issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is an organization in India responsible for the upkeep of gurdwaras, Sikh places of worship in three states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. SGPC also administers Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Gurdwaras in Delhi are the administered by Delhi Sikh...
(SGPC). It dictates that only those who follow the Sikh religion may marry under the ceremony, therefore, Sikhs cannot marry persons professing other religions under it. It also states that child marriage is invalid and that no account should be taken of the prospective spouse's caste. However, in practice, many Sikhs take preference in people from their caste.
The Anand Karaj usually takes place at a gurdwara
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
(Sikh temple), although not necessarily so; the marriage may also be conducted at the bride's residence or any other place where the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
(Sikh holy book) has been installed. If the marriage takes place somewhere other than a gurdwara, the place must be suitable and the Guru Granth Sahib must be installed following the proper procedure. Any Amritdhari (man or woman who is a strict adherent of Sikhism) may perform the marriage ceremony.
In a recent verdict of the Sri Akaal Takht Sahib,ie. a Hukumnama, Anand Karaj will take place only in the Gurudwara as Sri Guru Granth Sahib will not be taken to any marriage hall for that purpose.
Important features
The following are other important points that must be adhered to by the SikhSikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
couple and their families:
- Marriage is a partnership of equals.
- No consideration is to be given to Caste, Social Status, Race or lineage.
- No Dowry is allowed.
- No day is considered holier above any other, hence no astrological considerations are to be made and no superstitions are to be observed in fixing the date of the wedding.
- The religious ceremony to take place in a Gurdwara or in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
.
-Burden of the cost of the wedding to be shared as equally as possible.
The Anand Karaj ceremony is joyous and festive event in which families and friends from both sides are heavily involved. Most Sikh weddings take place in the morning and are completed before noon. Following the ceremony is a langar or a formal lunch. The wedding event can last for the whole day and may spill into the next day.
Most families combine the wedding ceremony with the engagement ceremony called the "Kurmai", where the Kurmai is held just before the wedding vows or Laava
Laava
----The laava phere are the four hymns of the Anand Karaj which form the main part of this ceremony...
. The engagement ceremony can also be held as a separate event on a different day. It is usually conducted in the Gurdwara
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
or at the home of the Groom-to-be. It involves Ardas
Ardas
The Ardās is a Sikh prayer that is done before performing or after undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis ; or completion of a service like the Paath , kirtan program or any other religious program. In Sikhism, these prayers are also said before and after eating...
, Kirtan
Kirtan
Kirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
, "Sagaan" (Exchange of gifts) and Langar. In the "Sagaan" ceremony, the groom is presented with a kara, kirpan, Indian sweets, fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts. The bride-to-be's family in turn are presented with garments and sweets for the Bride-to-be.
Detailed analysis
"Anand Karaj" literally "joyful ceremonial occasion or proceedings" is the name given the Sikh marriage ceremony. For Sikhs, married status is the norm and the ideal; through it, according to their belief, come the best opportunities for serving God's purpose and the well being of humanity, and it affords the best means of fulfillment of individuality and attainment of bliss. Sikhism repudiates monkery, vows of celibacy, renunciation or the sannyasin state.Unlike in the West, most marriages among Sikhs, as also in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
as a whole, are arranged. It is regarded as a duty for the parents to arrange for, and actively contribute towards, the marriage of their offspring. Prem Sumarag, an eighteenth century work on Sikh social code, lays down: When a girl attains maturity, it is incumbent upon her parents to look for a suitable match for her. It is neither desirable nor proper to marry a girl at tender age. The daughter of a Sikh should be given in marriage to a Sikh. If a man is a believer in Sikhism, is humble by nature, and earns his bread by honest means, with him matrimony may be contracted without a question and without consideration for wealth and riches.
History of Anand Karaj
The history of Anand marriage ceremony is traced back to the time of GURU Amar Das (1479–1574), who composed the long 40-stanza hymn Anand, in the Ramkali measure, suitable to be sung or recited on all occasions of religious import. His successor, Guru Ram Das, composed a four-stanza hymn, Lavan, which is recited and sung to solemnize nuptials. During the time of Maharaja RANJIT SINGH and his successors, however, this ceremony fell into partial disuse under renewed Brahmanical influence at court as well as in society.The Namdhari reform movement of the mid 19th century made the practice of Anand ceremony a vital plank in its programme as did the later, more widely influential Singh Sabha. But there was opposition from the Arya Samajis and Brahman priestly classes, the former anxious to prove that the Sikhs were but a sect of the Hindus and hence subject to Hindu Law, and the latter apprehensive of a reduction in their clientele and income. The Sikh form of wedding ceremonial eventually received legal sanction through the Anand Marriage Act which was adopted in 1909.
The ceremony is now universally observed by the Sikhs.
Pre-wedding
- Tahka (or Roka) is when the immediate family of both sides meets and blesses the union and the engagement is then announced.
A Month or So before the Big Day…
- Shri Akhand Path is the continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Path is usually held by the groom’s side preceding the Kudmai.
- Kudmai (or Sagai or Mangni) is the engagement ceremony; it usually takes place on the third day of the Shri Akhand Path with friends and family of both sides.
- Chunni ceremony is where the ladies from the groom’s side adorn the bride-to-be with sinndoor, make-up, mehndi, jewelry, bangles, a bindi and a bright colored dupatta as a welcoming gesture. This ceremony can take place during the tahka or any other day preceding the wedding ceremony.
- Mayaan, a beautifying ritual performed (by the females in the brides family) by rubbing a mixture of about 11/2 cups of besan (gram flour) 2-3 tsps. of Sandalwood powder, 2 tsp butter or almond oil and 3 teaspoons of water on the bride.
The Week before…
- Sangeet: is a celebration of song and dance which usually takes place about a week before the wedding day. The event is celebrated on both the bride’s and groom’s side separately.
- Mehndi is where the bride, her female relatives and friends get together to have a henna party, usually 2-3 days before the wedding day.
The Night before…
- Churah: The bride’s maternal uncle(s) adorn her wrists with bangles (traditionally ivory) the night before the wedding.
- Jago is a festive dance that also takes place a night or two before the wedding.
Arrangements
Actual wedding takes place at the girl's residence. The date of the wedding is set by mutual consultation to suit both parties.Astrological or horoscopic considerations are discountenanced in Sikh calculations. Matters such as the strength of the barat (the bridegroom's party), timing of arrival and departure, duration of stay, are also decided mutually so that the bride's parents may make suitable arrangements. Before setting out, the bridegroom may go to a gurdwara to make obeisance and offer ardas before the Guru Granth Sahib.
What to wear?
At Indian weddings, people prefer to always stay in the latest Indian trends. Here are what most ladies and men will be wearing at these ceremonies
- Engagement(cultural ceremony): ladies: saris, salwar kameez; men: Indian sherwani, Western suits
- Akhand Paath(religious ceremony): ladies: salwar kameez; men: Western suits (casual)
- Mendhi, Sangeet(cultural ceremony): ladies: saris, salwar kameez; men: Indian sherwani, Western suits
- Mayian(cultural ceremony): ladies: salwar kameez: men: Western suits (casual)
- Anand Karaj(religious ceremony)/Doli: ladies: saris, salwar kameez, lenghas; men: Indian sherwani, Western suits
- Reception(cultural ceremony): ladies: saris, salwar kameez, lenghas; men: Western suits
Married life
Sikhs practise monogamyMonogamy
Monogamy /Gr. μονός+γάμος - one+marriage/ a form of marriage in which an individual has only one spouse at any one time. In current usage monogamy often refers to having one sexual partner irrespective of marriage or reproduction...
in marriage. Both the husband and wife are seen as being equal. Any Sikh widow or widower is allowed to marry another person.