Ceremonies & Rites of Passage
The ceremonies that mark a Sikh life — naming, initiation, marriage and death — all centred on the Guru Granth Sahib.
A life around the Guru
Sikh rites of passage are simple and centre on the Guru Granth Sahib. Four mark the stages of life: birth, initiation, marriage and death.1,2,3
Naam Karan
Soon after a birth, the family gathers before the Guru Granth Sahib; the scripture is opened at random and the child’s name begins with the first letter of the hymn on that page. Boys take the name Singh (“lion”) and girls Kaur (“princess”).1,2,3
Amrit Sanchar
Amrit Sanchar — also called Khande di Pahul — is initiation into the Khalsa, the discipline established in 1699. Five initiated Sikhs, the Panj Pyare, prepare amrit (sweetened water) in an iron bowl, stirred with a double-edged khanda while the sacred hymns are recited.
Anand Karaj
The Sikh marriage, Anand Karaj (“ceremony of bliss”), was introduced by Guru Amar Das. The couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib four times as the four laavan — hymns composed by Guru Ram Das — are sung, each verse marking a stage of the union.1,2,3
Antam Sanskar
At death, Antam Sanskar is observed with prayers and, normally, cremation, closing with the evening hymn Kirtan Sohila — a quiet acceptance of God’s will.1,2,3
In the history
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