Anand Karaj translates to “blissful union” where the souls of the two getting married are joined. The Anand Karaj comprises of 4 “laavan” or hymns. This takes place at the “Gurdwara” - the Sikh religious center. Here are some other important aspects of Anand Karaj: - Marriage is a partnership of equals. - No dowry is allowed - Heads must be covered at all times in Dabar Hall Also, here are some ground rules for the wedding and for any time you visit a Gurdwara: - No drugs or alcohol - never enter the gurdwara under the influence of anything. Also nothing of the kind should be with you. - Cover your head, regardless of gender. We will be passing out “rumaals” or bandanas, and there will be plenty of people to help you tie it. Ladies are encouraged to bring scarfs or shawls to cover their head and shoulders. - Dress modestly - No shoes in the main hall. There’s a separate room to take them off. - If it is your first time entering the prayer hall, it’s customary to “matha tek” or acknowledge the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scripture). You do this by walking up front, going to your knees and bowing your head down. If you don’t feel comfortable bowing, you can simply walk to the side and sit down. - Everyone sits on the ground at the same level. There will be some seating reserved for elderly with accessibility issues.
On the morning of the Anand Karaj, the groom’s wedding party (the “Baraat”) leaves from the wedding house with a blast - playing a drum and dancing as they depart for the gurdwara sahib. When the wedding party reaches the gurdwara around 9:30am, Princys family will receive us and commence the “milni” ceremony - the meeting of the two families. Corresponding members of each of our families will greet one another. This will commence with a priest leading everyone in a quick prayer, and everyone will sit down for some tea and snacks. After this, everyone will go to the “Darbar Hall” where the Anand Karaj itself will take place. Harry will take his seat in the middle of the hall, and Princy will enter and sit next to him. After a quick prayer, Princys father will take Harry’s palla (wedding scarf) and hand it to Princy, symbolizing our union. Then that commences the wedding/laavan. After the final prayer is said, the priests and volunteers will pass out "karah parshad" (blessed food) for all to partake in. Karah parshad is made with flour, sugar and ghee (clarified butter). To respectfully receive parshad, remain seated and cup both hands together as the priest approaches you. All guests are welcome to enjoy parshad. If you do not want to have parshad, you may decline. However, please do not accept and then throw away. After this, everyone will leave the Darbar hall and make their way outside to have “langar” - lunch.
Here, the 4 “lavaan” will begin. As each laav is sung the couple completes one full circle around the Guru. The laavan are a commitment to living life in accordance with Sikhi together, and reminds the couple that Sikhi is the spiritual center of their lives. The four Laavan were writing by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. They describe the path the soul takes to achieve bliss and lays out the duties of Sikhs choosing marriage. In the first Laav, the couple is asked to commit together to righteousness and develop faith in their path. In the second laav, the couple is asked to shed their ego thru guru’s guidance and let go of vices. In the third laav, the couple learns to always remember the divine and realize their own separation from it. In the final laav, the couple is told to find the divine within themselves to achieve bliss. Once the 4th laav is completed, the couple is married and the ceremony finishes with “ardas”, another quick prayer.