Sikh Pre-Wedding Functions

This week we will be focussing on Sikh Weddings. Sikh Weddings are full of lovely traditions, symbolism, culture, and beautiful values. We will begin our series with Pre-Wedding Functions.

Pre Wedding

Thaka or Roka: This is when the families on both sides first meet and bless the couple.

Month of the Wedding

Shri Akhand Path: Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib held by the Groom’s side of the family.

Kudmai (Sagai or Mangni): Engagement ceremony, usually takes place on the third day of the Shri Akhand Path. This function is celebrated with friends and family of both sides, where prayer (Ardas) and devotional singing (Kirtan) is held, and gifts are exchanged between families (Sagan).

The Week of the Wedding

Shagun: In this function, the Groom and his family are bestowed with gifts from the girl’s side of the family. The groom is traditionally presented with Kada or a thick metal bangle, Kirpan or a Sword, Mithai or Indian Sweets, fresh fruits, and nuts.

Chunni: In this ceremony, ladies from the groom’s family welcome the bride-to-be by showering her with gifts, and adorning her with make up, sindoor, jewelry, bangles, bindi, and chunni or a beautiful dupatta.

Maiyaan: Also known as “Haldi” in some other Indian cultures, is a ritual to beautify the bride performed by the women on the her side of the family. In this ceremony, a paste, also known as ubtan, made of primarily chickpea flour or besan, sandalwood powder, and water is applied on the bride.

The week of the wedding, the families also celebrate with Sangeet, a music/dance evening and applying Henna or Mehendi.

Chooda: The bride’s maternal uncle(s) or mama(s) adorn the wrists of the bride with ivory and red bangles, also known as Chooda, the night before the wedding. Traditionally, brides where their Chooda a couple months until after their wedding.

The timeline of the pre-wedding functions depends entirely on the couple and their families. Many a times, the Chunni, Shagun and Mehendi functions are combined and take place very close in date of the Wedding Ceremony.

Tomorrow we will be focusing on a Sikh Wedding Ceremony or Anand Karaj. Also keep an eye out for a Sikh Wedding feature.

Image Credit

Photography by Simran Jagdev

Simran Jagdev is a Photographer based out of Delhi. Simran specializes in Weddings, Engagement/Pre-Wedding and Lifestyle Shoots.