The Sikh marriage is called Anand Karaj. This form of marriage was introduced from the time of the Sikh Gurus and was given statutory recognition during the British rule in India by the Anand Marriage Act 1909.
According to the centrally approved Sikh Code (Sikh Reht Maryada), persons not professing the Sikh faith cannot be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony.
Sikh men and women get married when they are fully able to take on the responsibilities of married life. Child marriage is forbidden. Sikh marriages may be arranged and assisted by parents but this is not necessary and men and women may meet directly and get married. Religious guidance is that a Sikh man and woman should enter wedlock without giving thought to the prospective spouse's caste.
An engagement ceremony may take place before the wedding but this is not necessary. No particular day is suitable and the wedding can be held on any day of the week. There is no superstition about particular days.
Marriages take place in the morning. The ceremony starts with a meeting of the two families called "Milni" at which holy shabads (hymns from the Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib) are sung and often an Ardaas (supplication) is said at the Milni.
The actual marriage ceremony takes place at a congregational gathering in the holy presence of Guru Granth Sahib. Sikh hymns are sung and the man and the woman sit side by side facing Guru Granth Sahib. The woman sits on the left side of the man. The couple and their parents (or guardians) stand up and an Ardaas seeking the Blessing of Waheguru (the Wondrous Giver of Knowledge) for the commencement of the Anand marriage is offered.
The marriage ceremony takes place before a congregation in the holy presence of Guru Granth Sahib.
An Amritdhari Sikh is a man or woman who has undergone traditional Amrit initiation and therefore practices the prescribed Sikh code in daily life and he or she can perform a marriage ceremony. This officiating person informs the couple of the duties of married life according to the Guru's teachings. He also explains their mutual obligations as husband and wife.
The love between a Sikh husband and wife is modelled on the love between human soul and the Supreme Soul as described in the four lavan (hymns composed by the Fourth Guru in the Suhi raag section of Guru Granth Sahib). The bridegroom and the bride vow fidelity to each other in the presence of the Guru (Granth Sahib) and the holy congregation. They accept their obligations by bowing before Guru Granth Sahib. The Anand marriage is a sacrament and no document is necessary.
The main ceremony is very simple. The end of the sash, which the bridegroom wears over his shoulder is placed (by the bride's father, guardian or any other responsible person) in the hands of the bride. The officiating person reads the four lavan (stanzas)
Only persons professing the Sikh faith can be joined in wedlock by the Anand Karaj ceremony.
