Anand Karaj
ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ
The Sikh wedding ceremony, conducted in a gurdwara in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. The couple take four rounds — the Laavan — walking around the Guru Granth Sahib, not around a fire.
- Where it is observed
- Punjab · Delhi · Haryana · Sikh communities worldwide
- Communities
- Sikh families
- When to send
- 4–8 weeks ahead
- Invitation shape
- A morning invitation. Anand Karaj is held in the morning, and the invitation should make gurdwara etiquette clear for guests unfamiliar with it — heads covered, shoes removed, no alcohol or tobacco on the premises.
Who invites whom
Issued by both families. Invitations customarily open with 'Ik Onkar' and are written with respect for the religious setting of the ceremony.
Timing & dates
Six weeks or more. Where guests are unfamiliar with gurdwara protocol, the invitation is the natural place to say so kindly and in advance.
2026–27 date guidance
Anand Karaj is not governed by muhurat in the way Hindu weddings are — Sikh practice does not observe auspicious and inauspicious days in that sense. Dates are usually set around the gurdwara's availability and the families' convenience. Confirm the slot with your gurdwara well ahead, as weekend mornings book early.
The ceremonies
Practice varies by family, community and region — not every household observes all of these.
Roka / Thaka
The first formal agreement between the families.
Kurmaiਕੁੜਮਾਈ
The engagement, often held in a gurdwara, where the families exchange gifts.
Chunni Chadai
The groom's family present the bride with a chunni and jewellery, welcoming her into the family.
Maiyan / Vatnaਵਟਣਾ
A paste of turmeric and mustard oil applied to the bride and groom at their homes.
Chooraਚੂੜਾ
The bride's maternal uncle presents her with a set of red and white bangles.
Milniਮਿਲਣੀ
A formal meeting of corresponding relatives from both families on the morning of the wedding.
Palki Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib is installed with full reverence before the ceremony begins.
Ardaasਅਰਦਾਸ
The congregational prayer offered before the marriage ceremony.
Laavanਲਾਵਾਂ
Four hymns composed by Guru Ram Das are sung; after each, the couple walk together around the Guru Granth Sahib. There is no sacred fire in a Sikh wedding.
Anand Sahib
Recitation of the Anand Sahib, followed by Ardaas and the distribution of Kara Prashad.
Doliਡੋਲੀ
The bride's departure from her family home.
What the invitation must include
- The gurdwara name and address with a map link
- The Anand Karaj start time, and the time guests should be seated by
- A brief, warm note on gurdwara etiquette — heads covered, shoes removed
- Separate details for the reception, which is usually a different venue and often a different day
- Both families' names
- RSVP contact
Wording examples
Adapt these to your family's own voice — square brackets mark what you replace.
Ik Onkar · With the blessings of Waheguru, [Bride's Parents] and [Groom's Parents] request the pleasure of your company at the Anand Karaj of [Bride] and [Groom].
As the ceremony takes place in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, we request that all guests cover their heads and remove their footwear before entering the darbar hall.
Create your Anand Karaj invitation
Every function, muhurat, venue and RSVP built around your celebration — and shareable on WhatsApp in a single link.
See designs for this occasionRelated guides
North Indian Wedding
A multi-day celebration built around the saat phere — seven circuits of the sacred fire — with days of music, haldi, and mehendi leading up to the wedding night itself.
Telugu Wedding
A Telugu wedding is organised around a precisely calculated muhurtham, and centres on Jeelakarra Bellam — the moment the couple place a paste of cumin and jaggery on each other's heads.
Tamil Wedding
A Tamil wedding centres on Mangalya Dharanam — the tying of the thali — performed at a muhurtham calculated for the couple, usually in the morning.