Gursikh Matrimonial Traditions That You Should Know About Gursikh matrimonials are slightly different from other Indian weddings. They have some unique ceremonies that are different from others. Mostly the Gursikh matrimonials focus on the interpersonal moments between the family members and the couple. Their traditions reflect the most important things in a person’s life. Let’s look at the Gursikh matrimonial traditions that you should know about. Roka or Thoka The Gursikh matrimonial tradition begins with this one. It is important to get the consent of the parents from both sides. This is mandatory irrespective of arranged or love marriage. To show the acceptance of the groom, the bride’s father and relatives will visit the groom’s house. The bride’s father will put a tilak on the forehead of the groom as a symbol of acceptance. After this, they will give gifts, clothes and sometimes rings to the groom. The same thing will happen in the bride’s house with the groom’s family. Usually, this Gursikh matrimonial ceremony happens a few days before the engagement. Kurmai This is the formal engagement ceremony in the Gursikh Matrimonial. This ceremony happens in the groom’s house or at Gurdwara. Before the beginning of the ceremony, the priest will perform a prayer. The groom will present a ring to the bride. The bride’s family will also present the groom with a kara and a kripan. Kara is nothing but a steel bangle and kripan is a knife which is the heroic symbol of Sikhs. After this, they will keep a red scarf on the groom’s shoulder. Then they will keep the dates on the scarf. The bride’s grandfather will feed the groom the dates. Once the traditions are over, they will serve a feast for the guests. Chunni Chadana This ceremony happens a few days before the Anand Karaj. In this tradition, women from the groom’s side visit the bride at her house. They will present her gifts, clothes, makeup and jewellery for the wedding day. The groom’s mother will cover the bride’s head with a chunni, a blessed scarf. This is to signify the acceptance of the bride by the groom’s family.
Maiya and Vatna
Maiya is nothing but a cleansing ceremony in the Gursikh matrimonial. Usually, this ceremony takes place on any of the five days before the wedding. During this ceremony, the bride and groom will have oil applied to their hair. Their body is smeared with turmeric paste and it happens in their respective homes. The relatives of the bride and groom will hold a red cloth above their heads. In the Vatna ceremony, the married women give a massage to the bride and groom with a paste. The paste is made of turmeric, barley and mustard. During this ceremony, the women sing wedding songs to celebrate the occasion. Gaana & Mehndi They will tie a red thread on the left wrist of the bride and the right wrist of the groom. This is to ward off evil and protect the couple from negatives. The Mehndi ceremony happens a few days before the wedding. Women from both sides gather to celebrate the occasion. They will apply mehndi to make attractive designs. Sehra Bandi The Gursikh matrimonial traditions begin with Sehra Bandi and Soorma And Kalgi. During the Sehra Bandi ceremony, the groom’s father helps him tie the turban. After that, his father will hand him a sword which he will carry during the wedding. Then his sister will tie a Sehra around the groom’s turban which covers his face. Soorma And Kalgi The groom’s sister-in-law puts a dot of kohl (soorma) on the side of his forehead. This will protect the groom from negativities. Then the groom’s sister stands at the front door and demands gifts from him. After getting the gifts only she will allow him to the wedding venue. Baarat This is nothing but the groom and his procession reaching the Gurdwara. They will sing and dance during this Gursikh matrimonial ceremony. Anand Karaj This is the blissful union that takes place during the daytime at the Gurdwara. The Gursikh matrimonial will happen around the Guru Granth Sahib (a holy book). The bride and groom will enter the venue and sit next to each other facing the holy book. An Amritdhari (Amrit Initiation In Sikhism) Sikh will conduct the wedding.
The priest will explain the importance of the wedding to the couple. Then the couple will bow down to the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride’s father will place a saffron scarf on the groom’s shoulder and another end on the bride’s hand. This is to symbolize the union and ready to take the wedding vows. Lavan Pheras The priest will perform the four Lavan (stanzas) from the Guru Granth Sahib. Then the couple will walk around the Guru Granth Sahib after the first stanza. They will walk in a clockwise direction with the groom leading the bride. The same thing will happen for the remaining stanzas or Lavan. The Raagis will sing the Lavan in the background. During this time, the couple will perform Pheras. Post wedding Ceremonies The bride will wear the dress and jewellery presented by the groom’s family. The elders of the family will wish the bride of Saada Suhagan. This is nothing but the blessing of never experiencing widowhood. After this, the groom’s family will host a reception for the newlyweds. After the reception, the bride will be leaving for the groom’s house. This is called Doli. the bride will throw rice over her shoulders into her mother’s hands. This is to wish them eternal prosperity. With this, the Gursikh matrimonial comes to an end.