Mick and Karen’s Sikh wedding in Fresno, CA, was overflowing with excitement and joyous traditions.  The photographs in the previous post show their traditional wedding mehndi (henna). The day after mehndi was applied, each family performed the Vatna, Maiyaan, and Sangeet, followed by the Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding ceremony). Below are photographs from each of these Indian wedding ceremonies

 

Vatna

The vatna is a traditional ritual where a yellow turmeric paste is rubbed on to the bride and groom’s face, arms, and legs. The turmeric, flour, and mustard oil paste is applied to make the skin look radiant for the wedding. In essence, it can be compared to going to a spa before the wedding.  Prior to the vatna, the bride/groom’s aunts, cousins, and sisters created a beautiful design, called a rangoli, using multi-colored sand. The rangoli laid at the feet of the bride and groom as family members applied the vatna (turmeric paste).  The pictures below show Mick and Karen’s rangoli as well as family members applying the vatna.

 

 

 

Sangeet | Maiyaan

The sangeet/maiyaan was a ceremony of dancing, singing, celebration, and delicious food. Karen’s sangeet and maiyaan were held at her home, whereas Mick’s family held theirs in a banquet hall.  (Traditionally, the groom’s family would do this at their own house, but considering Mick’s house is in Seattle and the wedding was in Fresno, it would have been a long commute 🙂 )

To begin the evening of dancing and celebration, the maternal side of each family brought out the jaggo.  The jaggo is a lit lantern held on top of the ladies’ heads. In India, the ladies will dance through the village with this jaggo (lit lantern) to let everyone know about the wedding.  Karen’s family actually walked through the neighborhood, singing, dancing, and carrying the jaggo! How awesome is that?!!!!  So much fun!

 

The Wedding Day

 

On the wedding day, Karen wore a beautiful red Anarkali lehenga along with a beautiful gold necklace and gold earrings.  Her outfit perfectly complimented Mick, who wore a traditional Sherwani and red turban.  You’ll notice a plume of white feathers on his turban. This is called a kalgi, which was put onto his turban by his sister, Kim. Mick wore it until he entered the Gurdwara, at which time Kim removed it from the turban.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bharaat | Milni

 

After Karen finished getting ready, her family took her to the Gurdwara (temple) where they waited for Mick’s family to arrive.  The groom is accompanied by his family and friends as they travel to the temple. This is called the baraat.  Mick carried a ceremonial sword and arrived on a white horse.  It was an amazing sight- full of smiles, laughing, and positive energy as Mick’s wedding party danced to the sounds of a beating and rhythmic dhol. Traditionally, the groom is accompanied by a young nephew or cousin, who also wears similar clothing as the groom. He is called the “shabbala” or caretaker of the groom. You can see him in the pictures of Mick’s baraat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon reaching the temple, Mick’s family was greeted by Karen’s family and the priest, who said a prayer of blessing (Ardaas).  The milni is a formal meeting of both families.  The fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and cousins exchanged fresh flower garlands.  This is a happy occasion where the families are excited to meet each other. Sometimes, in India, it was here that some family members met for the first time. Once the garlands have been exchanged, the brides family offers sweets to the groom’s family as a welcoming and blessing.

 

 

 

Anand Karaj | Blissful Union (Sikh Wedding ceremony)

 

The Sikh wedding ceremony is called the Anand Karaj which is directly translated as “blissful union.”  The ceremony began with the singing of hymns. Mick entered the prayer hall with his family and sat with the congregation. Before Karen’s arrival, Mick moved to sit in front of the Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book), and at that time his sister, Kim, removed the kalgi from his turban.  Karen entered the prayer hall with her father, brother, mother, and cousins. After she took a seat next to Mick, the formal wedding ceremony began.  The priest said a prayer, followed by a hymn, and then the lavaan.  During the lavaan, the bride and groom walk around the Granth Sahib four times. Each round has a special meaning of commitment and spiritual awareness. After this, to conclude the ceremony, the entire congregation stoodd for a special prayer of blessing.

I hope you enjoy these photographs of Mick and Karen’s Anand Karaj. I had so much fun during their wedding and wish them both a blessed life of happiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mick and Karen’s Indian Wedding Reception

 

 

 

This is one of my longer blog posts and although it contains a ton of photos, my intention is to convey the feelings, customs, colors, and traditions of an Indian Sikh wedding. I plan to elaborate on these descriptions, so when guests attend a Sikh wedding, they can appreciate and understand the culture behind the ceremonies. Because Mick and Karen did such a wonderful job of incorporating these traditions into their wedding, I’m so happy to use these photos as a visual guide to Sikh Wedding festivities. If you have any questions about a Sikh wedding, please leave a comment below, or send me an email!

 

Thanks Mick and Karen, and a huge thanks to my brother, Tanvir, for helping me photograph this awesome Indian Sikh wedding! I love having him on the team!

 

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