Anand Karaj is the Sikh wedding ceremony. Anand means bliss and karaj means event or act, so the name means "the blissful event". The couple sit before the Guru Granth Sahib and an ardas is said. The bride holds one end of the groom's scarf (the palla), and they walk around the Guru Granth Sahib four times while the four laavan are sung. The ceremony takes about an hour.
The four laavan are hymns by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, in Raag Soohee, on pages (angs) 773 and 774 of the Guru Granth Sahib.
What Anand Karaj Means
There is no fire, no pheras around an agni and no kanyadaan in Anand Karaj. The couple marry in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib and the sangat (congregation). The idea at the centre is that marriage is a spiritual partnership, two people moving together towards God.
The Sikh code of conduct, the Sikh Rehat Maryada issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), sets out how the ceremony is done. Most gurdwaras in India follow it.
Before the Ceremony, Milni and Ardas
On the wedding morning the groom's party (the baraat or janj) arrives at the gurdwara or the bride's family's venue.
- Milni. Men of the two families meet in pairs, father with father, mama with mama, uncle with uncle, and the bride's side gives each a gift, often a blanket, a shawl or cash. An ardas is said before the milni in many families.
- Breakfast or tea for the baraat.
- Everyone moves into the darbar hall and sits on the floor facing the Guru Granth Sahib. The groom sits in front, and the bride is brought in and sits on his left.
- Kirtan by the ragis (hymn singers) while the couple settle.
- The granthi (reader) or an elder says an ardas, asking for the Guru's blessing on the marriage. The couple and their parents stand for it.
- A hukamnama is read, a passage from the Guru Granth Sahib opened at random.
The Palla Ceremony
After the ardas, the bride's father places one end of the groom's palla, a long scarf worn over his shoulders, in the bride's hand. The ragis usually sing a shabad (hymn) at this point.
The palla joins the two for the laavan. For many fathers this is the hardest moment of the day, because it is the moment they hand over. The bride holds the palla through all four rounds.
The Four Laavan and Their Meaning
The granthi reads each laav from the Guru Granth Sahib. Then the ragis sing the same laav while the couple walk slowly around the Guru Granth Sahib, clockwise. The groom goes ahead. The bride follows, holding the palla. Brothers and cousins of the bride often stand around the path to help her.
| Laav | Opening words (in Roman letters) | What it is about |
|---|---|---|
| First | Har pehlarree laav | Taking up the duties of married life, following the Guru's word and remembering the Name |
| Second | Har doojarree laav | Meeting the True Guru, losing fear and ego, and feeling God's presence everywhere |
| Third | Har teejarree laav | Love for God, detachment from worldly pull, and joy in the company of the sangat |
| Fourth | Har chautharree laav | Union with God and a settled, natural peace (sahaj) |
You can read the full text, with translation, of the first laav on ang 773 of the Guru Granth Sahib at SriGranth. The other three continue on the next page.
After the fourth round, the couple sit down and the ragis sing the Anand Sahib, the hymn of bliss by Guru Amar Das. Usually the first five pauris (verses) and the last one are sung. A final ardas follows, and karah prasad (the sweet offering) is shared with everyone.
Rules Followed in Gurdwaras
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Both should be Sikh | The Sikh Rehat Maryada says Anand Karaj is for Sikhs. Many gurdwaras in India ask for proof that both follow the faith |
| Held in a gurdwara | The Akal Takht has directed that Anand Karaj be held in a gurdwara, not at resorts or destination venues |
| No date from astrology | The Rehat Maryada says the date should not be chosen by looking at auspicious days. Any day is fine |
| Caste should not decide the match | The Rehat Maryada asks Sikhs not to consider caste in choosing a spouse |
| Head covered | Everyone in the darbar hall covers their head and removes their shoes |
| No alcohol | Alcohol and smoking are not allowed in the gurdwara, and many families keep the whole day dry |
Anand Karaj is usually held in the morning, after the morning kirtan. The Rehat Maryada does not fix a time, but morning is the long custom, and most gurdwaras plan their day around it.
If one partner is not Sikh, the couple can marry under the Special Marriage Act at a registrar's office, and some families hold an ardas at the gurdwara afterwards. Ask your gurdwara committee what they allow, well in advance.
Anand Marriage Act and Registration
The Anand Marriage Act, 1909 made marriages by the Anand ceremony legally valid. An amendment in 2012 added Section 6, which lets Sikh couples register their marriage as an Anand marriage, under rules each state government makes.
Not every state has made those rules yet. Where they exist, register under them. Where they do not, Sikh marriages are usually registered under the Hindu Marriage Act or the state's compulsory registration law. Ask the local marriage registrar what applies in your district, and carry the gurdwara's certificate, photos of the ceremony and ID for both.
What to Wear
The bride usually wears a red, pink or maroon lehenga or a heavy salwar suit, with her head covered by a chunni. Many brides wear the chooda (red and white bangles) and kalire. The groom wears a sherwani or an achkan with a turban, often in pink, peach or red, and carries a kirpan in many families.
Guests should dress modestly, with arms and legs covered, and bring a scarf or rumaal to cover the head. Gurdwaras usually keep spare ones at the door.
Before the Wedding Day
Most Sikh arranged marriages start the same way as others: families share biodatas and meet. If you are making one now, you can make a biodata here and pick Punjabi as the print language. For the wider Punjabi wedding, from roka and jaggo to doli, see our page on Punjabi wedding rituals.
Common questions
What Is Anand Karaj?
Anand Karaj is the Sikh wedding ceremony, held before the Guru Granth Sahib. The couple walk around it four times while the four laavan are sung.
What Is the Meaning of the Four Laavan?
The first is about taking up married life by the Guru's word, the second about meeting the Guru and losing fear, the third about love for God and the sangat, and the fourth about union with God.
What Is the Anand Marriage Act?
A 1909 law that made Sikh marriages by the Anand ceremony valid. A 2012 amendment allows them to be registered as Anand marriages under state rules.
Can a non-Sikh Marry in Anand Karaj?
The Sikh Rehat Maryada says Anand Karaj is for Sikhs, and most gurdwaras in India follow this. Ask your gurdwara committee before planning.
Why Is Anand Karaj Held in the Morning?
It is a long custom to hold it after the morning kirtan. The Rehat Maryada does not set a time, and it asks Sikhs not to look for auspicious days.
Sources
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