Marriage

Sikhs are encouraged to marry, and marriage is called 'Anand Karj', which means ' the ceremony of bliss'. The Gurus taught that family life was very important. Many Sikh weddings are assisted marriages, and even if the couple have suggested their marriage the families will still be very much involved.

The most important part of the wedding is the reading of the Lavan, a hymn written for weddings by Guru Ram Dass.It has four verses, which are spoken one at a time, and then sung. Each verse explains the stage of life.

As each verse is sung, the bride and the groom walk in a clockwise direction around the Guru Granth Sahib.When they have done this for the forth time, they are married. Everyone stands to join in the Ardaas (prayer), and there may be speeches before everyone shares the Kara Parshad.