Traditions
The Sikh marriage ceremony is called Anand Karaj. It is performed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture. In a Sikh wedding, scripture is read from the Granth Sahib, and after each section the bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth Sahib, showing their commitment to the teachings being read. This is done four times.
Following this, a communal prayer is said for the couple and religious hymns are sung. The ceremony may be performed by any initiated member of the Sikh faith. A specific priest is not required. The prayers being read indicate that the bride and the groom pledge allegiance to each other as well as the Sikh way of life and make a commitment to working together to help each other realize the Divine Presence
Sikhs burn their dead. As the body is bathed and clothed in fresh clothes by family members, Sikh prayers are said. The body is not taken to the Gurdwara, but community members say collective prayers. The ashes are usually gathered afterwards, and put afloat in a flowing body of water—Returning the person’s last physical remains to nature.
None. Each day is a re-birth, every day is to be celebrated and utilized toward becoming closer with God. However, traditionally many Sikhs gather in large numbers at local Gurdwaras to observe the following:
– All Gurpurabs (Sikh Guru’s birthdays) are celebrated in Sikh communities and Gurdwaras.
-Vaisakhi, April 14. This was the day the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, created the Khalsa—the order of the initiated Sikhs and gave Sikhs their unique identity. This is one of the most important dates in Sikh history and is celebrated every year with pride.
-Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab, Nov. 5. The first Sikh Guru, Nanak’s birthday.
-Guru Gobind’s Gurpurab, Jan 5. The tenth Guru, Gobind Singh’s birthday.
-Martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev, June 16
The tenth Sikh Guru instructed Sikhs to greet each other with “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa,Waheguru ji ki Fateh!” (The Khalsa, the Initiated Sikh belongs to the Timeless, Immortal Power, and every victory of the Khalsa, is a victory of the Supreme Power!). Another common Sikh greeting is Sat Sri Akal! “The Timeless, Immortal Power, is the Truth”.
The Sikh Gurus strongly forbade all rituals and superstitions. Sikhs are thus not allowed to eat any food prepared through a ritualistic process. Sikhs are not meant to eat Kosher (Jewish food prepared by a special ritual/process), or Halaal (Muslim meat prepared with a special ritual). Sikhs are also not supposed to drink alcohol or consume any other intoxicants.
Sikhs are forbidden from drinking alcohol or consuming intoxicants. Again, people are known to divert from the religious teachings. Tell them they should not be doing it.
No, there is no particular color for Sikhs garb, turbans, festivals etc. The Sikh flag that is hoisted at almost every Gurdwara is a bright orange/saffron color or dark blue. These represent traditional colors for Sikhs, but are not ‘Sikh colors.’
Sikhism was born and flourished in the South Asian area called the Punjab, where the main language is Punjabi. However, since its conception more than 500 years ago, Sikhs have immigrated to many different parts of the world and the religion has spread over all continents. Sikhs thus speak many languages. The Sikh scripture is written in various dialects and languages but has the common script, “Gurmukhi.”