Punjabi or Sikh Weddings like Indian Weddings are full of color, love, delicious food and lets not forget their love for music and Bangra (dance) moves. Punjab is a state in India and many Punjabi’s embrace Sikh culture and hence people call Sikh wedding as Punjabi weddings as well. With so many traditions and rituals the weddings happen over the span for 4-5 days. Some of the pre-wedding ceremonies include Roka, Chunni ceremony, Mehendi, Sangeet, Haldi, Jaago, Chuda ceremony and many more.
What happens at a Punjabi or Sikh Wedding
The Punjabi or Sikh wedding ceremony is called Anand Karaj which means Blissful Union. The ceremony takes place at the Sikh Temple ( Gurudwara). The bride and groom sit side by side facing the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikh hymns are sung. The main ceremony is very simple and it takes about an hour.
The Priest conducting the marriage performs the four Lavan or stanzas from the Guru Granth Sahib. Upon completing the reading of the first stanza, the couple walk slowly around the Guru Granth Sahib in clockwise direction, with the groom leading the bride.
At the completion of the round the couple return to their positions yet remain standing for the remaining three hymns. The process of circumambulation is repeated three more times after each lavan. The raagis sing the lavans in the background while the couple performs the Pheras. The raagis sing hymns of Anand Sahib. An ardaas is offered as an indication that the wedding ceremony is complete. A random Hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib is chosen to be recited while khatah prasad (desert) is distributed.
Once the wedding ceremony is done, the bride and groom visit the bride’s home for some post wedding rituals. Once the rituals are complete, they leave for the groom’s house. At the grooms house there are more rituals that are performed by the bride and groom.
Being Experts in Punjabi or Sikh Wedding Photography ensures that we when photographing a Sikh Wedding we can anticipate and also capture the subtle traditions that are integral to the wedding ceremony. We understand the significant cultural aspects and this helps us capture and create images that are special and have an impact for the bride and the groom.
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