SIKH MARRIAGE

PRE WEDDING CEREMONY SHAGUN-Shagun or engagement is the ceremony that marks the beginning of the Sikh wedding celebrations. The ceremony is also called Tilak, which is performed by a bhaiji (preacher) of the Gurudwara. Given below is detailed information on the pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding rituals followed by Sikhs. CHOORA-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.

MAIYA-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- 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.

VATNA- Vatna is a ritual celebrated a few days before the wedding ceremony. According to the tradition followed by the Sikhs, vatna, a scented powder consisting of barley flour, turmeric and mustard oil, is smeared to the bride and the groom. This is followed by an auspicious bath MEHNDI- Mehndi is another pre-wedding ritual organized on the eve of the marriage.During the ceremony, henna (mehndi) is applied on the hands and the feet of the bride.  

WEDDING DAY Gharoli-Gharoli is observed in the morning of the wedding day, at the groom's home. During the occasion, the groom's sister-in-law, accompanied by other female relatives, go to a nearby well or Gurudwara to fill an earther pitcher (gharoli) with water, which is later used to bathe and the groom. 

POST WEDDING RITUALS The post-wedding rituals of a traditional Sikh wedding consist of vidaai or doli ceremony, which marks the end of the celebration. It is a very emotional affair for the bride's family. As the bride departs from her parent's house, she throws back handful of rice over her shoulder, thereby wishing prosperity for her parents and family, which she leaves behind to start a new life with new dreams and aspirations

BADR BASSAM GRADE:-6