Anand Karaj

Anand Karaj ( Punjabi: ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ, romanized: ənənd kārəj ) is the Sikh wedding ceremony, meaning "Act towards happiness" or "Act towards happy life", that was introduced by Guru Amar Das. The four laavaan (hymns which take place during the ceremony) were composed by his successor, Guru Ram Das. Although the recitation of Guru Amar Das' stanzas in Sikh ceremonies is a historical and enduring tradition, the practice of circumambulating around the Guru Granth Sahib to conduct a marriage ceremony is a relatively recent innovation that supplanted the tradition of circumambulating around the sacred fire (havan) in the early twentieth century. Within the community, Anand Karaj is governed by the Sikh Reht Maryada (Sikh code of conduct and conventions) that was issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). In a recent verdict of the Akal Takht, a Hukamnama, Anand Karaj can only take place in a Gurdwara (Sikh temple). In subsequent statements, Sikh authorities have reiterated this position, reaffirming that Anand Karaj ceremonies should be conducted only in Gurdwaras and not at destination or resort venues. Any Amritdhari (baptized) Sikh may perform the marriage ceremony. Anand Karaj weddings are legally recognized by the governments of India and Punjab, Pakistan.