AO1 Describe and explain the details of a Sikh marriage service.
The Sikh marriage is not merely a physical and legal contract but is a holy union between two souls where physically they appear as two individual bodies but in fact are united as one. Anand Karaj is the prescribed form of Sikh marriage, the words literally translate as 'Blissful Union". Marriage is seen as only the joining together a man and a woman as husband and wife but as encouraging ties between the families involved. As well as the parents other family members will also be involved in helping in the choice of marriage partners and will also contribute financially, and practically, to the expenses of the wedding. Traditionally, marriages have been arranged. The families involved find a prospective partner and suggest to the couple that they should marry. The couple however are not forced into marrying someone that they do not like, or are not happy to marry. The majority of parents love and respect their children and would not want to force them into a relationship if they were not happy about it. Family background, education, interests and employment are some of the areas parents consider when suggesting a partner for their child. Photographs are exchanged and the couples usually do not meet. This meeting normally takes place at the girls parents home and involves the prospective couple, their parents, brothers and sisters. Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles may also be present if they wish. If the couple and families decide to proceed with the marriage then it is usual to have a formal betrothal (engagement) ceremony, this will take place at the boys residence. The relations of the girl go, taking with them a kirpan for the boy and one rupee, which, is handed over to him in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. The parents of the girl take to the girl a present, of a red and a gold ornament. Perhaps under western influence, it has now become almost customary to give a ring. It is deemed to be more in keeping with the spirit of Sikhism. However to go together in a Sikh temple, where the ceremony is conducted. The effect of it is binding engagement of the couple witnessed by their relations in the most solemn manner.
After the official engagement ceremony, the mother of the groom visits her future daughter-in-law, in her home, with presents. She places a gold ring on her finger. The date of the wedding is set. In India weddings tend to take place in the open air so the very hot summer and the rainy season are avoided. In Britain, they take place in the Gurdwara and so the weather is not such a consideration. Many take place at the weekend to allow more people to attend. It is not imperative that the marriage takes place in a Gurdwara, although the majority of them do. The really important thing is that the Guru Granth Sahib is present and is on a raised platform, also covered by the romalla, which is an embroidered cover). A red canopy to show respect will also cover the Guru Granth Sahib. But before the actual wedding ceremony it is Sikh custom that many little pre-rituals take place. Including the Mehendi ceremony. A few nights or weeks before the main wedding, the Anand Karaj The Mehendi Ceremony takes place this is an important ritual and usually takes place one or two days before the actual wedding. The reddish brown color of Mehendi - which stands for the prosperity that a bride is expected to bring to her new family - is considered most auspicious for all wedding-related ceremonies. It is also believed that the darker it is, the more love your future mother-in-law has for you. The groom, by tradition is also to have a little bit of mendhi on his palm or on the front of his hands. Choora or the bangle ceremony is another important Sikh pre-wedding ritual. The occasion is organized at the bride's home, wherein the maternal uncle and aunt of the bride adorn her wrist with white and red bangles. Ornaments made of silver and gold, known as kalira, are tied to the bangles. The third pre-wedding custom followed by Sikhs is 'maiya', according to which, the bride and the groom are not allowed to leave their house for few days prior to the wedding. Gana is a pre-wedding ritual wherein an auspicious red thread is tied to the right wrist of the groom and the left wrist of the bride, at their respective homes. It is regarded as a sacred thread that protects the bride and the groom from ill omen. The female relatives and friends of the bride also apply Mehendi and dance and sing to make the event very colorful. The event gives a festive touch to the celebration. Another mini ceremony that takes place before the wedding is Vatna is the ceremony where the couple's families rub yellow tumeric paste (made out of chick pea flour and mustard oil) on their legs, face, and arms while they sit on a patri (a special red board with embroidery) and are under a red cloth held by four women. This ceremony is done to cleanse and balance the body for his/her marriage life. The event gives a festive touch to the celebration.
