Prayer: Guests sit on the floor (chairs available if needed). Please stay quiet, minimize phone use, and do not clap during the hymns.

Groom Arrival: The groom enters with his family and sits on the men's side.

Kalgi Removal: The groom’s Kalgi is removed by his sister (or her husband if she’s married), after which he sits before the Guru Granth Sahib.

Bride Arrival: The bride enters with a relative. A Ramala is offered to the scripture, and she sits in front of it.

First Ardaas: A short opening prayer is done with just the couple, parents, and priest standing.

Pala Ceremony: The bride’s father places the Pala (scarf) linking the couple.

Lawan: The couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib four times during the hymns, each round representing a spiritual vow.

Anand Karaj: After the Lavan, the couple is officially married. A final prayer and blessings conclude the ceremony.

Closing Ardaas: Everyone stands for a final prayer, showing respect with folded hands.

Parshaad: A sweet offering is served to all. Receive it with both hands cupped. If you can’t eat it, simply fold your hands or politely decline.

Exit & Photos: The couple exits the hall and heads downstairs, where guests greet them, offer Sagan (gift money), and take photos.

Langar: A free vegetarian meal is served to all, symbolizing equality and service. Dishes may include roti (flatbread), daal (lentils), sabzi (vegetable dish), rice, kheer (rice pudding), water, and chai (tea). Eating is optional.

Stealing Groom’s Shoes: Meanwhile, the bride’s relatives may playfully try to steal the groom’s shoes (juti) while his family/friends guards them.

Photos: Afterward, the couple heads out for portraits.

Doli Games: After the couple finishes photos, they return to the bride’s home, where sometimes the groom's close family attends. The bride watches from upstairs while the groom and his groomsmen/brothers play Doli games.

Doli games are playful rituals before the bride leaves for her new life. These games add fun to the emotional farewell. The bride’s sisters and female relatives often heckle the groom at the door.

Returning the Groom’s Shoes: The groom’s side must pay a ransom or perform tasks to get them back during the doli games.

Fun Challenges: The bride's family challenges the groom with riddles or small dares, adding a cost for wrong answers.

Ribbon Cutting: A symbolic ribbon is cut to mark the bride's transition, and the groom must pay for the scissors.

These playful traditions lighten the mood before the bride's departure.

After the Doli games, the groom enters the bride’s home, where she greets him and his family, marking the start of her new journey. Some brides take part in the kaleera tradition, where she shakes her kaleere over her unmarried friends; if a piece falls, she’s believed to be the next to marry.

The bride and groom then sit as the bride’s family offers sagan (blessings and gifts) and shares emotional farewells. As the bride leaves her childhood home, she tosses rice or puffed grains over her shoulder to symbolize gratitude. Vidai (farewell) songs are sung, marking her transition to her new life.

Her luggage is sent with her, and traditionally, one of her brothers accompanies her to the groom’s home, symbolizing his protection as she joins her new family.

After the bride arrives at the groom’s home, a few traditional games are played to welcome the couple:

The groom’s sister ties several knots in a string, and the couple must untie them using only one hand each. The faster they succeed, the smoother their married life is believed to be.

The couple places their rings in a bowl of opaque milk. As the bowl is swirled, they must retrieve the rings by hand. Tradition says whoever finds theirs first will "rule" the household.

The groom's name is hidden in the bride’s intricate bridal Mehndi. A fun tradition where he’s challenged to find it—sometimes with a little help, sometimes not!

The younger brother/cousin of the groom sits in the bride's lap until the groom gives him money or gift. There’s also an old wives tale that if the kid stays put without fussing, the bride will have sons.

Registry

We are so excited to have you join our special day and your presence at our wedding is the best gift we could ask for. However, if we are to be honored with a present from you, we have set up a gift registry here on theknot.