Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Palla?
Also written: Palla ceremony, ਪੱਲਾ
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.
- Who keeps it
- Sikh families.
- When
- During the anand karaj, after the opening ardas and before the laavan.
About Palla
What should you know about Palla?
The couple hold the palla through all four laavan. It is a quiet, emotional moment for the bride's family, often accompanied by a shabad.
Many Punjabi Hindu weddings have a similar moment in the gathbandhan. Couples often choose the palla in a colour that matches the groom's turban, and some families keep it as a keepsake after the wedding. The moment is quiet, and many fathers find it more emotional than any other part of the day.
In the order of functions
Where does Palla come in an Indian wedding?
During the anand karaj, after the opening ardas and before the laavan.
- 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 Palla?
Rarely printed; it is part of the anand karaj.
Related words
Words that go with Palla
- 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.
- 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.
- Gathbandhan
Gathbandhan is the tying of a knot between the end of the bride's chunni or saree and the groom's scarf, joining them for the pheras.
- 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.
Questions
Palla, answered
What is 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.
Which families celebrate Palla?
Sikh families.
When does Palla happen in the order of wedding functions?
During the anand karaj, after the opening ardas and before the laavan.
What do families write on the invitation for Palla?
Rarely printed; it is part of the anand karaj.
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