Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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E. Civil Marriage
As many gurdwaras have been licensed for civil marriages, such marriages are also taking place there, either before or after the religious ceremony. It makes it so much easier for the couples and their families. Some couples choose to have a separate civil registration either at their local registry office or at unusual places which are now licensed to hold such ceremonies. This usually takes place before the religious ceremony.
F. Wedding Rituals
On the religious wedding day, the bridegroom dresses appropriately for the occasion. In addition he wears a scarf round his neck and carries a ceremonial sword. He travels with the wedding party (barat) of his relatives and friends to the Sikh gurdwara, where the ceremony is to be held.
On arrival, the party is greeted by the bride's relatives, singing Sikh sacred hymns and the greeting of Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguruji ki Fateh.
This is followed by the 'Milni' ceremony in which the individual relatives formally meet and greet each other, such as the bride's father garlanding the groom's father and making a gift of a turban and the groom's father responding with putting a garland round the bride's father's neck. All the key relatives share such greetings.
Then the wedding party is welcomed to some refreshments consisting of Indian sweets and savouries and soft drinks, fruit juices and tea which are also shared by the bride's party.
Afterwards both the parties move to the prayer hall as members of the congregation in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. They listen to the Raagis, the religious musicians, singing hymns as they enter and seat themselves on the carpet, men on one side and the women on the other side in the hall.
Before the Anand Karaj wedding ceremony begins, the bride and the groom pay their respects by bowing in front of the scripture and presenting the gifts of Romallas (the special coverings
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