Sikh Ceremonies

There are special ceremonies for events like birth, initiation, marriage and death in a Sikh family. They are done to seek blessing from God and to renew the spirit of devotion and service. All Sikh ceremonies are held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and include singing of hymns, Ardas, or a formal prayer suitable to the occasion, Hukamnama, or a random reading from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji that is the order of the day, and distribution of Karah Parshad, or sacred pudding made from flour, butter, sugar and water. Langar is provided for all the guests.

Some of the major Sikh Ceremonies are:
    1) Nam Karan
    2) Dastar Bandi
    3) Marriage Ceremony
    3) Amrit Sanchar
    4) Funeral Ceremony
    5) Gurpurbs
    6) Sangrand

Nam Karan

After the birth of a child, the mother and the child, when in good health, go to the Gurdwara with their relatives and friends for the naming ceremony. The Granthi or a senior member of the congregation stirs water and sugar crystals in a bowl with a 'Khanda' placed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib while reading the 'Mool Mantra' and the first five verses of the 'Japji Sahib'. A few drops of this holy water are then put into the child's mouth and the remaining is given to the mother to drink. Hymns are recited or sung to bless the child.

Then 'Ardas' is recited and the 'Hukam' read. The child's name is chosen to begin with the first letter of the 'Hukam'. The title of Singh (lion) is given to the male and Kaur (princess) to the female child. For example if the first letter is 'R', the child may be named Ranjit Singh in case of a boy. or Ranjit Kaur in case of a girl.

Karah Parshad is distributed to the congregation. The use of caste or surname in addition to one's personal name is discouraged.

Sikh Ceremonies

Dastar Bandi

A very important and exciting event in the life of a Sikh boy comes when he starts tying the turban. Sometimes the family will have a special function to celebrate the occasion. It is called Dastar Bandi. He is seated in front of Guru Granth Sahib. An elder relation ties the turban on his head. The Granthi explains why he must keep long hair and wear a turban. Prayers are said to invoke Guru's blessing on the boy.

Sikh Ceremonies

Marriage Ceremony

The Sikh marriage is called 'Anand Karaj' which means the ceremony of joy. The Sikh wedding is held in the morning in a Gurdwara. The bridegroom dressed in fine clothes accompanied by his family and friends reaches the Gurdwara Sahib where the brides relatives and friends receive them. After the Milni ceremony (close relatives of the couple garland each other in a spirit of goodwill) and refreshments, everyone enters the Gurdwara congregation hall where bride sits alongside the bridegroom facing the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A short prayer is said and then the wedding ceremony begins and the Ragees sing the hymn of 'Palla' which is bridegroom's scarf. The brides father gives the Palla into the hands of bride which is symbolic of giving away the bride. This is followed by 'Lavaan', the wedding ceremony. It consists of four verses. The first verse is recited by the Granthi while the couple sits. Then the Ragees sing the same verse and the couple walk gracefully clockwise around the Guru Granth Sahib the bride following the bridegroom. Same way the other three verses are recited. The six verses of 'Anand Sahib' (the hymns of joy) are then sung followed by the Ardas. Order of the day is read from Guru Granth Sahib Ji followed by the distribution of Karah Parshad. Lunch is provided by the brides family. Usually a reception is held later in the evening in a hall. 

Sikh Ceremonies

Amrit Sanchar

This is the sacred ceremony for the initiation into the Khalsa brotherhood. It should be taken only by those who are fully mature enough to realize the commitment required and the significance. The initiate may be a man or woman of any caste or previous religion. Generally they are encouraged to start behaving, acting and looking like a Sikh before seeking baptism. The baptism is done in a quiet place away from distractions where Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been installed. The initiate is required to wash their hair, cover their head, wear clean clothes and the 5K's before presenting themselves before 6 amritdhari Sikhs (those who are already baptized). Five amritdhari Sikhs will conduct the ceremony while one reads Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The principals of Sikhism are explained to the initiate and this is followed by Ardas and taking of the Hukam (opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to a random page and reading of a hymn). Amrit (sweet sugar water) is prepared in a steel bowl and stirred with a Kirpan by the five beloved ones while Japuji, Jaap, Ten Sawayyas, Bainti Chaupai and 6 verses from Anand Sahib are recited. This is followed by Ardas and the initiate drinking the Amrit five times in cupped hands and exclaiming Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (The Pure Belong to God, Victory to God). Amrit is then sprinkled on the hair and eyes of the initiate and any leftover is drunk by all present. This is followed by an explanation of the code of conduct and discipline required for a Khalsa. The Khalsa is required to wear the 5K's and abstain from 1) cutting hair, 2) eating Muslim halal meat, 3) cohabiting with a person other than ones spouse and 4) using intoxicants such as tobacco. Other breaches of the code of conduct are also explained before Ardas is once again repeated. This is followed by taking Hukam and eating of Karah Parshad (sacred pudding) from a common bowl. If a person does not have a Sikh name, they take a new name at this time.

Sikh Ceremonies

Funeral Ceremony

In Sikhism death is considered a natural process and God's will. Any public displays of grief at the funeral such as wailing or crying out loud are discouraged. Cremation is the preferred method of disposal, although if it is not possible any other method such as burial or submergence at sea are acceptable. Worship of the dead with gravestones, etc. is discouraged, because the body is considered to be only the shell, the person's soul is their real essence. The body is usually bathed and clothed by family members and taken to the cremation grounds. There hymns are recited which induce feeling of detachment are recited by the congregation. As the body is being cremated, Kirtan Sohila the nighttime prayer is recited and Ardas is offered. The ashes are disposed of by immersing them in the nearest river. A non continuos reading of the entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib is undertaken and timed to conclude on the tenth day. This may be undertaken at home or in the Gurdwara. The conclusion of this ceremony marks the end of the mourning period.

Sikh Ceremonies

Gurpurbs

Important anniversaries associated with the lives of the Gurus are referred to as Gurpurbs. These are usually marked at gurdwaras with Akhand Path (continuos cover to cover reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib) concluding on the specific day. There is also kirtan (musical recitation of hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib) as well as katha (lectures on Sikhism). Some places also have nagar kirtan, where there is a procession with Sri Guru Granth Sahib led by 5 Sikhs carrying Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). Free sweets and langar are also offered to the general public outside some gurdwaras.

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