Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Anand karaj?
Also written: Sikh wedding, ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ
Anand karaj, meaning blissful union, is the Sikh wedding ceremony, held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, in which the couple walk around it four times as the four laavan are sung.
- Who keeps it
- Sikh families, in India and across the world.
- When
- On the wedding morning, after the milni.
About Anand karaj
What should you know about Anand karaj?
It is usually held in the morning at a gurdwara. It begins with an ardas, the bride's father places one end of the groom's palla in her hand, and the couple complete the four laavan. It ends with an ardas, karah prasad and often langar.
There is no sacred fire in the anand karaj. Many couples and families wear pink, red or other bright colours, and guests cover their heads.
In the order of functions
Where does Anand karaj come in an Indian wedding?
On the wedding morning, after the milni.
- Before the weddingFixing the match, the engagement, the date and the card.
- The functionsPujas, haldi, mehndi, sangeet and the family days before the wedding.
- Wedding day ritualsFrom the baraat to the pheras, nikah and anand karaj.
- After the weddingVidaai, the new home, the reception and the first visits.
Planning your own days? The free wedding function order planner puts your functions in a sensible order with dates.
On the card
What do families write on the invitation for Anand karaj?
With the blessings of Waheguru, anand karaj of Arjun and Riya at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Saturday, 14 February, 10 am, followed by langar.
Related words
Words that go with Anand karaj
- Laavan
Laavan are the four hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib that are sung during the anand karaj while the couple walk around the Guru Granth Sahib once for each hymn.
- Palla
Palla is the moment in a Sikh anand karaj when the bride's father places one end of the groom's scarf (the palla) in the bride's hand, joining the couple before the laavan.
- Milni
Milni is the Punjabi welcome where relatives with the same relation on both sides, such as the two fathers and the two maternal uncles, meet, embrace and exchange garlands and gifts when the baraat arrives.
- Kurmai
Kurmai is the Sikh engagement ceremony, usually held at a gurdwara or at the groom's home with an ardas, where the bride's family blesses the groom and gives him gifts.
- Chooda
Chooda is the set of red and ivory-white bangles a Punjabi bride wears from her wedding day, given by her maternal uncle at the chooda ceremony on the wedding morning.
Questions
Anand karaj, answered
What is Anand karaj?
Anand karaj, meaning blissful union, is the Sikh wedding ceremony, held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, in which the couple walk around it four times as the four laavan are sung.
Which families celebrate Anand karaj?
Sikh families, in India and across the world.
When does Anand karaj happen in the order of wedding functions?
On the wedding morning, after the milni.
What do families write on the invitation for Anand karaj?
With the blessings of Waheguru, anand karaj of Arjun and Riya at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Saturday, 14 February, 10 am, followed by langar.
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