GSINGH

9:30am – Outside, in front of the Gurdwara

Milni

The Milni is the ceremonial introduction of both families to each other, friends and family of the couple assemble outside the Gurdwara.

The Milni begins with a short prayer, and then relatives (traditionally men) from both families greet, embrace, and exchange gifts with their counterparts.

10:00am – Downstairs in the Langar hall

Morning Tea

The Milni will be followed by morning tea inside the Gurdwara in the Langar hall.

Note: Head coverings must be worn and shoes must be removed before entering the Gurdwara.

11:00am – Upstairs in the Darbar

The Anand Karaj ceremony will be held upstairs in the Darbar. At the front and centre of the Darbar is Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the current Guru of the Sikhs and the holy scripture containing hymns written by Sikh Gurus and saints from different faiths.

The congregation will be seated on the floor. Men are seated on the right-side of the Darbar and women on the left at Takanini Gurdwara. The couple to be married sits in front of the Guru.

The ceremony begins with an Ardaas, a prayer, by the couple and their parents asking for the blessings of the Guru.

A Hukamnama, an edict, is read from the Guru as guidance for the couple as they are about to begin their married and spiritual life together.

Palle di Rasam

This is followed by the Palle di Rasam where the bride’s father places one end of the groom’s palla, the wedding shawl, into the hands of the bride. This tradition signifies that the father is giving away his daughter to the groom and acts as the physical bond between the couple during the Anand Karaj ceremony.

The Anand Karaj ceremony now formally begins.

Anand Karaj

Beyond just being a matrimonial ceremony between the bride and groom, the Anand Karaj is also a spiritual ceremony between a Sikh and the Husband-Lord, Akal Purakh, God.

The ceremony is the bringing together of two souls and Akal Purakh so that the one light emerges in both bodies

The Anand Karaj is made of the four laavan hymns describing stages of attaining spiritual bliss in a married life.

ਧਨਪਿਰੁਏਹਿਨਆਖੀਅਨਿਬਹਨਿਇਕਠੇਹੋਇ ॥

They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together.

ਏਕਜੋਤਿਦੁਇਮੂਰਤੀਧਨਪਿਰੁਕਹੀਐਸੋਇ॥੩॥

They alone are called husband and wife, who have one light in two bodies. ||3||

Each laav will be read by the priest, and then sung. As the laav is sung, the couple will circumambulate the Guru.

The four laavan instruct the following:

1. Practice righteousness and meditate on Naam, Akal Purakh, as your enshrine contemplative remembrance in your daily life.
2. Destroy egotism through the fear of Akal Purakh and lift the veil of duality, seeing Oneness within and outside.
3. Meet with the Satsangat, the holy congregation, and fill yourself with divine love for Akal Purakh as the Naam vibrates from within.
4. Focus your consciousness and find Akal Purakh, rejoice as you as meet the Husband-Lord.

At the conclusion of the fourth laav, the final hymns are sung and the entire congregation stands for the final prayer.

A final Hukamnama is read from the Guru, and prashaad, a food offering, is distributed to the congregation.

After the ceremony has concluded in the Darbar, lunch will be served downstairs in the Langar hall.

There will also be an opportunity to take photos with the couple and families.

Please arrive at 6pm – starters will be served and the entry of the bride and groom will be at 6:30pm.