Wedding traditions of Amritsar

A wedding here

In an Anand Karaj the couple sit before the Guru Granth Sahib. The bride's father places one end of a scarf, the palla, in the groom's hand and in hers, and they walk four rounds while the four verses of the Lavan are sung. The rite is short compared with a Hindu fire ceremony, and no fire is used.

Where weddings happen

Gurdwaras in the city and the villages around it host the ceremony, usually before noon. Receptions follow in banquet halls and on farm lawns, with large meat and vegetarian feasts and a langar-style spirit of feeding everyone who comes.

The season and the calendar

Winter, from October to March, is the main season. Harvest in April and May also brings families back to the villages. Dates are fixed by family preference and by what is free at the gurdwara, since the Sikh rite does not rely on an astrological muhurat.

Wedding customs of Amritsar

Anand KarajThe Sikh wedding ceremony.LaavaanThe four verses sung while the couple circle the scripture.BhangraThe energetic dance that fills the reception.

Also part of it, and being written: Milni (The formal meeting of the two families, with garlands and gifts.), Chooda (The bridal bangles.), Giddha (A women's folk dance of Punjab sung at weddings.).

Communities and their weddings in Amritsar

• Jat Sikh Large village weddings with a pronounced dhol and horse procession.
• Khatri and Arora Urban weddings often with a sangeet and a banquet reception.
• Punjabi Hindu A fire ceremony with the saptapadi, in temples and halls.

A wedding trail idea for Amritsar

1. Golden Temple Couples often visit to give thanks and seek blessings, though weddings are generally held at other gurdwaras.
2. Hall Bazaar A central shopping street for clothes and gifts.
3. Katra Jaimal Singh An old market area known for cloth, phulkari and bridal shopping.
4. Village gurdwaras of the Majha region Where many families still hold the ceremony close to home.