Milnee
(Kurmayaee)
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As
soon as the bridegroom, and the two families are
assembled the Milnee is performed, a meeting of
parents and close relatives of the bride and groom
and exchange of presents. The bride herself does
not normally participate. The marriage ceremony
is conducted in a Gurdwara or at the bride's home
or any other suitable place where Guru Granth Sahib
is duly installed. A priest or any Sikh (man or
woman) may conduct the ceremony, and usually, a
respected and learned person is chosen. First Asa
di Var (morning hymns) |
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and
then hymns appropriate for the occasion are sung
while, family, friends, guests and groom arrives.
The groom is first seated before Guru Granth Sahib
and when the bride comes she take her place on his
left. The couple and their parents are asked to
stand while the rest of congregation remains seated.
A prayer is then said, invoking His blessings for
the proposed marriage and asking His Grace on the
union of the couple. This connotes the consent of
the bride and the bridegroom and their parents. |
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The parties then resume their seats and a short
hymn is sung. This is followed by a brief speech
addressed particularly to the couple, explaining
the significance and obligation of the marriage.
The couple are then asked to honour their vows by
bowing together before Guru Granth Sahib. Then the
bride's father places one end of pink or saffron-coloured
scarf in the grooms hand, passing it over the shoulder
and placing the other end in the bride's hand. |
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joined, the two will take the vows. This is followed
by a short hymn. Guru Granth Sahib is now opened and
the first verse of Lavan is read from it. The same
verse is then sung by the musicians while the couple
slowly encircle Guru Granth Sahib. The groom leads
in a clock-wise direction and the bride, holding the
scarf, follows as nearly as possible in step. When
the couple reaches the front of Guru Granth Sahib,
they both bow together and take their respective seats.
The same protocol is repeated for the remainder three
verses. |
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