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Ceremonies simply
are formal action to mark some sacred event or action. In Sikhism
there are only a few ceremonies, which are simple, inexpensive
and having a religious cause to them. Sikhism is against all sorts
of blind rituals or superstitious functions.
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Every Ceremony
in Sikhism must be performed in the presence of the Guru Granth
Sahib and after the ceremony Karah Parshad (sweet pudding) and
Langar (food) must be served.
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The naming of
a new born child takes places at the Gurdwara and usually in the
presence of friends and relatives. There they recite joyful hymns
from the Guru Granth Sahib to celebrate the birth of the new child
and ask for blessings of good health and long life for the child.
The family offers donation in the form of Karah Prashad (sacred
pudding), usually prepared by the family and a Rumala (a small
cloth for covering the Guru Granth Sahib). Amrit (sweet water)
is also prepared and given to the infant as well as the mother.
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During this
ceremony Ardas is recited and the child blessed. Next, the name
is chosen by taking the Hukam, the granthi (the reader of the
Holy Granth) randomly opens Guru Granth Sahib to any page and
reads the hymn on that page.
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The first letter
of the first word of the hymn is chosen. The child's name is then
chosen beginning with that letter and is announced to the congregation.
The word "Singh" (means lion) always follows the boy's
name and the word "Kaur" (mean princess) always follows
the girl's name.
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This is the
sacred ceremony for the Sikhs, brining him/her into the Khalsa
brotherhood also known as Khalsa Panth. There is no minimum age
for getting oneself baptized. However, it should be taken only
by those who are fully mature enough to realize the commitment
required and the significance. The person wishing to be baptized
may be a man or woman of any caste or previous religion. Generally
they are encouraged to start following the Sikh way of life before
seeking baptism.
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The baptism
is done in a quiet place, away from distractions, where Sri Guru
Granth Sahib has been installed.
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The person wishing
be to baptized is required to wash their hair, cover their head,
wear clean clothes and the 5K's before presenting themselves before
six Amritdhari Sikhs (Sikhs those who are already baptized).
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Five Amritdhari
Sikhs will conduct the ceremony while one reads the Guru Granth
Sahib.
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During the ceremony
the principles of Sikhism are explained to the person wishing
to be baptized which is then followed by Ardas (a Sikh Prayer)
and taking the Hukam (opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to a random
page and reading of a hymn). Amrit (sweet water) is prepared in
a steel bowl and stirred with a kirpan by the five beloved ones
while following prayers, Japuji, Jaap, Ten Sawayyas, Bainti Chaupai
and 6 verses from Anand Sahib are recited.
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This is followed
by Ardas and then drinking of the Amrit five times each, by the
person wishing to be baptized, in cupped hands and exclaiming
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (The Pure Belong to
God, Victory to God).
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Amrit is then
sprinkled on the hair and eyes of the person and any leftover
is drunk by all present.
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This is followed
by an explanation of the code of conduct and discipline required
for a Khalsa.
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The Khalsa
is required to wear the 5K's and abstain from:
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Cutting hair |
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Eating Muslim
halal meat, |
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Cohabiting with
a person other than ones spouse. |
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Using intoxicants
such as tobacco. |
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Other code of
conduct, explained earlier is once again repeated. This is followed
by taking Hukam and eating of karah prasad (sacred pudding) from
a common bowl. If a person does not have a Sikh name, they take
a new name at this time.
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In short, by
undergoing the Amrit Sanskar ceremony, a Sikh undertakes to uphold
the principles of its faith and Code of Conduct as prescribed
by all the Gurus.
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Usually, when
a Sikh boy reaches a certain age, usually 11 to 16, a turban ceremony
is performed for the child. This ceremony can be held at the Gurdwara
or at any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed.
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At this ceremony,
Ardas is recited and then the child's first turban is ceremonially
tied on by the Granthi, or a Sikh elderly person. This ceremonly
designates the respect with which the turban is regarded. Moreover,
this ceremony is usually attended by family members, and friends.
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Anand Karaj
is the Sikh marriage ceremony. Like other Sikh ceremonies, this
one too is performed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib
and can be conducted either at a Gurdwara or any place where the
Guru Granth Sahib is installed. Members from both families gather
in the congregation.
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Before the official
ceremony begins, hymns from the Holy Granth are sung for some
time. Eventually the groom comes and sits in from of the Guru
Granth Sahib and is later joined by the bride.
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The ceremony
may be conducted by a Sikh official, who may either be a man or
a woman. However, in most cases the head priest (Giani Ji) of
the Gurdwara conducts the ceremony. Marriage is considered by
the Sikhs to be an irrevocable spiritual bond.
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It is neither
a contract, nor an agreement; it is a spiritual union. Anand Karaj
can take place without waiting for an auspicious day. At the time
of wedding, the couple occupies seats in front of Guru Granth
Sahib in the presence of Sangat (congregation) with the bridegroom
sitting to the right of the bride.
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The entire
ceremony is very simple, consisting of the following sequences:
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Obtaining
the consent of the couple (to be) and parents in the presence
of the congregation by offering "Ardas". Only
the couples and their parents are to stand, while the Ardas
is being recited.
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Next a
small lecture is given on the duties and obligations of
marriage according to the Guru's tenets,
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The bride's
father then hands one end of a scarf (usually saffron or
pink) to the groom and the other end, across the shoulder
of the groom, to the bride.
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Next,
the Lavan hymns (pronounced as "Lava". These are
the marriage hymns), composed four stanzas by Guru Ram Das,
are recited.
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The couple
then bows before the Holy Granth then stands up and starts
the first clockwise walk around the Guru Granth Sahib. The
groom, holding one end of the scarf, leads while the bride,
holding the other end coming over the shoulder of the groom,
follows slowly behind.
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On completing
the first round, the couple bows to the Holy Granth and
sits again.
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Shortly
after the second stanza of the Lavan hymn is recited and
the couples again bow and take the clockwise walk around
the Guru Granth Sahib. This process is repeated for each
of the four verses of the Lavan hymn.
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The official
ceremony is then concluded by reciting the first five and
the last stanza of the Anand Sahib hymn followed by Ardas
by the entire congregation.
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A Hukam
is taken by reciting a hymn at random from Sri Guru Granth
Sahib and then Karah Prasad (sacred pudding) is distributed
to all present.
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This
is then usually followed by kirtan while the couple receives
garlands of flowers and monetary gifts from the congregation.
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After
this the entire congregation and the newly married couple
partake of langar in the community kitchen.
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This is the
non-stop cover to cover reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib which
is undertaken to celebrate any joyous occasion or in times of
hardship, such as birth, marriage, death, moving into a new house,
and Gurpurbs.
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The non stop
reading takes approximately 48 hours and is carried out by family
members, or professional readers in the presence of the family.
The reading must be clear and correct so that it can be understood
by all listeners.
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After the completion
of the reading the Bhog ceremony takes place. A Hukam is taken
by randomly turning to any page and reading the hymn on that page.
Karah Parshad (sacred pudding) is also distributed to all present.
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In Sikhism death
is considered a natural process and is seen as a transient stage
towards the complete unity with God. Sikhs believe in re-incarnation.
Cremation is the preferred method of disposal, although if it
is not possible any other methods such as burial or submergence
at sea are acceptable. Sikhs do not erect monuments over the remains
of the dead. Worship of the dead with gravestones etc. is discouraged
because the body is considered to be only the shell while the
person's soul is their real essence.
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The death ceremony
can be divided into two parts; Saskar, the cremation and the Antim
Ardas, the final prayer before the end of the ceremony.
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Before the cremation,
the body is usually bathed and clothed by family members and taken
to the cremation grounds. There hymns are recited which induce
feelings of detachment are recited by the congregation. As the
body is being cremated, Kirtan Sohila the night time prayer is
recited and Ardas is offered. The ashes are disposed of by immersing
them in the river.
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The second
part of the ceremony is the Antim Ardas, the final prayer during
the Bhog ceremony.
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A non continuous
reading of the entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib is undertaken and
timed to conclude on the tenth day. The reading is meant to provide
spiritual support and consolation to the family and friends. This
is called the Sahaj Path. It may be undertaken at home or in the
Gurdwara. The conclusion of this ceremony marks the end of the
mourning period.
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What
is Sikhism
