GURUDWARA SERVICES
Anand Karaj (Weddings)
Anand karaj is the name given to the Sikh wedding ceremony. Karaj is an endeavour or task you embark upon, and anand is bliss. So anand karaj is a ‘blissful union’ of husband and wife in an earthly sense. In a spiritual sense, it mirrors the journey of one’s inner being, from a state of disconnection to connection with its Divine source. The bride seeking her groom was one culturally familiar analogy which the Sikh Gurus used to depict this journey.
The Lāvān
In Sikh teaching, inner self of all humans (whether you are a man or woman), is often portrayed as a jeev-istree, a female being. The ornaments which beautify us are spiritual virtues such as love, truth, wisdom, humility and compassion. Without embodying these virtues, any other ‘bridal decoration’ remains superficial. As men and women, when we cultivate such virtues we build our connection with our Divine Beloved. Without the practice of these virtues, there is no inner beauty, just as without inner substance, any outward ritual is empty.
During the anand karaj, the couple are linked together with a palla or sash. This marks the start of their new bond; and in a spiritual sense, our various worldly ties fade into the distance as we form a conscious bond with our Creator. The couple then circle four times around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as four verses are sung, turn by turn. The circling expresses devotion and indebtedness to the Guru and a commitment to anchor one’s life in the Guru’s teachings.
Each verse that is sung is known as a laanv, meaning ‘to leave previous bonds and form new ones’. This signifies a process of breaking away. Just as, in Indian tradition, the bride would leave her family home, our inner self becomes detached from the world as we understood it. Each laanv portrays a new stage of spiritual awareness to transform how we will live henceforth.
Laav 1: Focus
The first laanv is the stage of bringing a spiritual focus into your life. This is by pledging to practise dharam, a spiritually-attuned way of living. With such a focus, you become earnest in practising simran (meditative remembrance), you intuitively steer away from wrong-doing and you direct your loving attention to the Guru. This brings inner cleansing and the change affects your whole being; you begin to taste a sublime sweetness. In this laanv, you commit to the spiritual path as you commit to the person who will walk it with you.
Laav 2: Awakening
In the second laanv, your connection with the Guru leads you to become deeply aware of God’s presence infused in all places, within you and way beyond you. You feel an awe, which is like a beautiful, loving fear of this infinite sacredness. Through this, the grip of the stubborn, selfish ego is dissolved. Touched by this profound feeling, you are inspired to sing divine praises. You begin to hear the sound-current of the Divine, which reverberates through existence. In this second laanv, the Guru leads the jeev-istree, one’s inner being, to meet and resonate with God as the Divine Beloved.
Laav 3: Yearning
In the third laanv, your awakening fills you with a feeling of spiritual love. Your yearning grows to connect with God. You feel deeply blessed to have found the company of saintly, enlightened people who have led you to make this connection. This good fortune is written upon your forehead. Inwardly, you sense that your destiny is being fulfilled. In this third laanv, you feel the joy of finding those who will help you connect to the Divine.
Laav 4: Connection
In the fourth laanv, you reach the ultimate stage of profound inner peace where the bond with the Supreme Soul has been harmoniously made. It brings a sweetness to the mind and body. The fruit of the mind’s spiritual desire has been found and the vibration of the Divine Name begins to resound in the heart, as if a flower has blossomed at long last. In the fourth laanv, the connection with the Divine Beloved is complete.
FAQs
For bookings at Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Birmingham (UK) please read the below FAQs. For all other GNNSJ Gurudwaras, please contact the relevant gurudwara directly.
How is the anand karaj conducted?
The anand karaj will be conducted in accordance with the gurmat rehat maryada and in Punjabi. We will try to ensure that non-Punjabi speaking guests are informed of what will be happening during the ceremony. You should do your best to inform guests that they should at all times maintain the utmost respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and observe complete silence in Guru Ji’s Darbar.
We have already had a register wedding, what information do I need to provide GNNSJ?
Please provide a copy of the marriage certificate to GNNSJ at least 4 weeks before the date of the anand karaj.
We will be having our civil register wedding at GNNSJ, what do we need to do?
You need to give notice with your local register office at least 12 weeks before the anand karaj. They will provide you with forms that you will need to hand in at GNNSJ at least 28 days before the anand karaj.
We will be having the kurmai ceremony on the day of the Anand Karaj, what do we need to have prepared?
Please indicate this on the booking form. The bride’s family will need to bring the ‘sagan’ for the kurmai into Guru Ji’s Darbar once all sangat and the groom are seated. Sewadar on the day will help guide you and your family.
Do we need to bring anything in preparation for our morning tea before the anand karaj?
Yes. You will need to bring soft drinks and napkins before 12noon on the day before the anand karaj. On the morning of the anand karaj you will need to bring samosas and mithai. Jalebias and pakoray will be made and provided by GNNSJ.
Do we need to do anything to help with our morning tea before the anand karaj?
Yes. Family members should be willing and able to help gurudwara sewadars to serve morning tea.
We have confirmed that langar will also be at GNNSJ, do we need to do anything or bring anything with us?
GNNSJ will prepare all Guru ka langar where the langar option has been selected when making the booking.
Please make sure that there are napkins available to be placed with langar trays. All langar and serving dishes will be provided by GNNSJ. After the morning tea, family members should be willing and able to help gurudwara sewadars set up for, and help serve Guru ka langar.
Can GNNSJ help with arranging rumala sahibs that we wish to present to Guru Ji?
Yes. When submitting your booking form, ask the sewadar to arrange for a rumala sahib to be made available on the day of the anand karaj.
Can family members sit with the couple during the anand karaj?
We request that only one family member sit with the bride and groom respectively due to space restrictions, and more importantly, to allow the couples focus to be directed to Guru Ji during the whole anand karaj.
Our wedding photographers may not have been to GNNSJ before, will they be advised on what they might need to be aware of?
It is your responsibility to ensure that your photographers, regardless of previous visits, complete our form: https://bit.ly/GNNSJAVRequest (case sensitive) and provide relevant insurance documentation at least 1 month prior to the event. If this is not completed, the company will not be permitted to photograph or film the anand karaj or kurmai. We will inform all photographers of any matters that they should observe on the day, for the comfort and safety of all sangat and guests attending on the day.
Will all guests attending be giving sagan to the couple at the end of the anand karaj?
Only the parents of the bride and groom will give ‘sagan’ in Guru Ji’s Darbar. All other guests will give their sagan in the upstairs Langar Hall. If the families have their lunch outside, guests can be informed that all others ‘sagans’ are given to the couple at the external venue where lunch has been organised.
As we plan for the anand karaj, can we ask questions and have a tour of the space that will be used on the day?
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or to arrange a tour of GNNSJ. In the likelihood of any changes to the booking you will be notified in advance.
Do we need to be amritdhari to get married at GNNSJ?
A monthly amrit sanchar takes place on the first Sunday after every sangrand at this gurudwara. The benefits and implications of becoming ‘amritdhari’ can be lovingly explained in a pre-arranged meeting at the gurudwara.
How do I book an anand karaj?
Please call GNNSJ Birmingham on 0121 551 1125 to discuss booking your anand karaj.