Sikhia is another major aspect of the Anand Karaj, in which a communitymember with wisdom and experience will sit before the couple.

They will offer guidance on what the religious tradition teaches and what marriage means from a Sikh perspective.

Sikh wedding focus on interpersonal moments between family membersand the couple, ultimately reflecting on what truly matters in life.

Anand Karaj means “ceremony of joy” and takes place in the gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship. “It entails singing from Guru Granth Sahib.

Usually, the Anand Karaj lasts about two to three hours.

However, thecouple may include other celebrations that aren’t

required for a traditional Sikh wedding.

“Everyone is seated on the ground for the entirety of the ceremony.

the [couple] will walk around Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikhsacred scripture, four times.

The symbolic meaning of this is that the life of a Sikh revolves around the Guru and all Sikhs are taught to see the Guru as the center of their lives.

Nowadays wedding parties will often have an overview of what is happening in English or scripture translated in English. It’s a nice way for people

who are attending the ceremony to have a sense of what’s going on and be active participants in the program.”

BARAAT

The Baraat, the arrival of the groom, includes an intense greeting by thebride’s family at the gurdwara. “Historically, the groom arrived riding a horse, but now they might come in modern forms too, like luxury cars ormotorcycles.

MILNI

During the Milni, it’s all about celebrating two families coming together. There is a major emphasis placed on the families’ roles, where everyonemeets each other individually to see the different relations of the couple. The elders are introduced to one another over a cup of masala tea. Thebride’s relatives often give cash and clothes to the groom’s close relatives, from oldest to youngest.

ARDAS

During the ardas, or the congregational prayer, everyone stands togetherto reflect on their inner values. “The wedding shifts from something morefamilial and celebratory to something more religious that marks the time for the official ceremony.

When everyone finally makes their way inside the gurdwara, the brideand groom sit on the floor next to each other in front of Guru GranthSahib. The Ragis, or Sikh musicians, begin to recite and sing each verse of the laavan (marriage prayer), signifying the couple to walk around GuruGranth Sahibfour times. “This practice of walking around signifies tothemselves and the community the importance of a Guru-centered life and is a public promise that it is something we intend to do as a couple.

Jaggo is a time for singing and dancing where the bride’s female relativeswill dance with pots on their heads decorated with oil candles.

PUJA: Most auspicious Hindu ceremonies involve a puja, which is a prayer ritual performed in praise of deities,"Both families are present andthere is usually an exchange of various items and gifts, such as outfits andaccessories." There are numerous pujas completed, and each has its ownmeaning and purpose. Typically, they serve to bless the upcomingwedding and marriage. After the pujas, the couple is officially pronouncedbride and groom, though they will not be married until several days later.

MEHNDI

A mehndi ceremony is traditionally reserved for the bride-to-be and her closest friends and family members. The main purpose of this event is theapplication of bridal mehndi, or henna design, to her hands and feet.

Traditionally, the designs have an ornamental floral theme.

SANGEET

Traditionally, the sangeet or garba takes place after the mehndiceremony. It is typical for family members to break out a musicalperformance where the bride's family performs for the groom's family towelcome them.

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