176 St James Road, Croydon, Surrey CR0 2BU
Telephone No 020 8688 8155 Registered Charity Number 282163
Upon receiving a request for a booking for an Anand Karaj, invite the couple to the Gurdwara (preferably together but individually where this is not possible).
The Gurdwara will assign trained individuals who are fluent in English and Panjabi to meet the couple to discuss about the Anand Karaj and the declaration. The couple will be asked to reflect on the discussion and will be provided with literature on the Anand Karaj and the Sikh faith.
The couple will be invited back to the Gurdwara after two or so weeks to discuss any issues or questions and satisfy themselves that they understand the meanings of what they are accepting and agreeing to.
If the couple are in agreement and willing to sign the declaration and the Gurdwara is satisfied of this, the Gurdwara representative will ask the couple to sign the declaration and in the case of individuals of formerly non Sikh origin to present the relevant identity documents. A Gurdwara representative should witness the declaration signatures.
At the Anand Karaj the couple will be reminded of their commitment before the ceremony
If a letter is required as evidence for this religious wedding taking place at the Gurdwara, please inform initially. This letter is only a confirmation that Anand Karaj took place and in no way approved by the government. You will need to arrange the legal court marriage directly with the Registrar office to be legally married in this country.
******************************************************”***********************************
Process Pre Wedding :
On arrival for the Wedding:
No Register Wedding Ceremony will take place until the Wedding Letter has been issued by the Government Registrar office confirming legal status of the couple.
Both the family have to comply with the above rules.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada (Code of Conduct and Conventions) provides guidance and governs aspects of a Sikhs life and the running of Gurdwara. Specific guidance is provided within the Rehat Maryada regarding the Anand Karaj ceremony and a key aspect is the requirement that only Sikhs can have their marriage solemnised by the Anand Karaj ceremony.
The Rehat Maryada gives a definition of a Sikh as follows:
Any human being who faithfully believes in:
Any person seeking to have their marriage solemnised by the Anand Karaj ceremony will be invited to a meeting to receive information, resources and guidance regarding Sikhi, Anand Karaj and Grist Jeevan. Following an opportunity to reflect, research and seek clarifications both partners will be invited to a further meeting and asked whether they understand the information and will be requested to sign a declaration confirming they are a Sikh in line with the above definition
Declaration
I (name) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Voluntarily declare and affirm that:
Signed: Date:
Name:
Address:
Witness Signature: Date:
Witness Name:
Witness Address:
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Date:
This letter is confirmation that A Sikh Wedding ceremony called Anand Karaj took place as follows between the following people:
Anand Karaj Ceremony was performed by Giani:
Total guests attended this ceremony were:
If you have any questions regarding the marriage ceremony, please feel free to contact me anytime, at the above address in writing.
Please note that this letter is given to the couple in good faith wishing them well in their future but is not a legal document and therefore cannot be used as proof of a civil registered marriage.
Yours Truly,
Position: