All guests take their shoes off and cover their head before entering the hall. Every one sits cross legged on the floor. The wedding ceremony takes place in the presence of the Sikh Holy Scriptures "The Guru Granth Sahib" which is placed on an alter under a canopy.
After the Hymns are sung, the groom is brought forward, usually by his sister or other relatives, to take his place in front of the alter. The bride is then brought by her sisters or relatives to join the congregation and is seated at the left side of the groom.
The priest or officiant begins to conduct the marriage by asking the couple and their parents to stand whilst he or she recites prayer to seek God's blessing. They are seated and a short Hymn is then sung which contains the general advice:
Before undertaking anything, seek the Grace of God. (Guru Granth p, 9)
The concept of the Sikh Marriage is explained by one of the officiants. Marriage is not a social contract but aims at the fusion of two souls into one. It is analogous to the union of humans with the Creator which is the goal of Sikh piety. Various Hymns are sung to pray to God and give advice to the couple on marriage and goals of life together:
The bride and groom should love each other above every one else, so the Guru ordains. The bride shines with light and glory when she is adorned with the love of her husband. Only they are truly wedded who have one spirit in two bodies. (Guru Granth p,788)
The bride and the groom publicly assent to the marriage by bowing towards the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. When they have sat down again the bride's father comes forward and places one end of the scarf, flowing from the groom's shoulder, in the hand of his daughter. After a short Hymn is sung, the officiant opens the Holy scriptures on page 773 and reads the Hymn by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru. The first verse is read and then sung as the couple stands up and walks slowly around the Guru Granth Sahib in a clock wise direction, the groom leading. They return to their place, bow before the alter and sit down at the same time as the first verse is completed. Three more verses are read similarly and the circling around the Guru Granth Sahib is repeated the same way. The last is often a signal for the showering flower petals at the couple to bless the couple by the congregation.
The service concludes with the singing of the first five and last verse of the composition in the scripture known as Anand followed by the prayer Ardas. At the end, the Guru's counsel (vak) is heard by opening the scripture at random and reading a verse. The congregation is served with karah parshad (sacrament) made from whole wheat, sugar, butter and water.
The ceremony is usually concluded by serving refreshments
and/or lunch.
Harbans Lal
June 6, 1999
