Anand Karaj invitation: wording, schedule and gurdwara etiquette

An Anand Karaj invitation usually opens with ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ or “With the blessings of Waheguru”, invites guests to the wedding at a named gurdwara, and gives the morning schedule: the milni, the Anand Karaj itself, and langar. Because a gurdwara has its own customs, a good invitation also tells guests to cover their heads and leave their shoes outside. Below are the usual schedule, samples in English and Punjabi, and the etiquette worth putting in writing.

The Punjabi wedding invitation guide covers the functions around the wedding, from the jaggo to the doli. This guide is about the ceremony in the gurdwara.

What happens at an Anand Karaj

Anand Karaj, meaning “blissful union”, is the Sikh wedding ceremony, held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. Customs vary a little between families and gurdwaras, but the ceremony commonly includes:

1. Ardas, a prayer seeking blessings for the couple.
2. The palla rasam, when the bride's father places one end of the groom's scarf in the bride's hand.
3. The four laavan: four hymns composed by Guru Ram Das are recited, and after each one the couple walk around the Guru Granth Sahib, clockwise.
4. The Hukamnama, a reading from the Guru Granth Sahib.
5. Karah prasad, the sacred offering, shared with everyone.
6. Langar, the community meal.

Many families hold the ceremony in the morning, finishing before noon, which is a widely followed tradition.

A typical schedule

English wording

The names, dates and places below are examples.

Punjabi wording

This is a simple, common form in Gurmukhi. Have a Punjabi reader in the family check the names and spellings before sharing.

Etiquette to put on the invitation

Many guests at a Sikh wedding are from other communities, and they're grateful for a gentle note. A short line or two on the invitation saves them worry:

• Cover your head inside the gurdwara. Scarves are usually available at the entrance, but guests can bring their own.
• Remove your shoes before entering; there's a place to leave them.
• Sit on the floor in the darbar hall, with feet not pointing towards the Guru Granth Sahib.
• No alcohol or tobacco on the gurdwara premises.
• Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
• Arrive on time, since the ceremony follows the gurdwara's schedule.

At the langar

Langar is served to everyone, together, as equals. Guests from other communities sometimes worry about getting it wrong; a few simple points cover it:

• Keep your head covered in the langar hall too.
• Sit in the rows where you're shown; many gurdwaras serve langar seated on the floor, some at tables.
• Accept food with both hands held together, and say “bas” or show your palm when you've had enough.
• Take only what you'll eat; leaving food is avoided.
• Karah prasad is received in cupped hands and eaten, not refused.

Before and after the ceremony

The Anand Karaj sits in the middle of the wedding days. Before it come the functions at home, often the mehndi, the jaggo and the chooda ceremony on the wedding morning; after it, the doli and, often, an evening reception. The mehndi wording guide has samples for the earlier functions.

The reception

Many families hold a reception in the evening, at a separate venue with music and dinner. Give it its own section, or its own invitation, so guests don't confuse the morning's gurdwara etiquette with the evening's dress code. The Indian wedding invitation guide covers how to present several functions clearly.

For designs, see the wedding templates, and more regional guides are under weddings across India.