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I really did not know what to expect when I made my way to Gurdwara Sahib at Titiwangsa on the Saturday morning of the 26 January 2008. This was my first experience in my entire life witnessing a wedding ceremony in a Sikh temple. It is for our client, Shyam (and Sangeeta). I must say that it was different from the weddings that Red Carpet Eventus normally plan, arrange and manage. I was intrigued by the whole event there and it was a very good experience overall. Thank you, Shyam and Sangeeta for engaging us to do your Sangeet and Reception.

As I walked into the compound of the temple with the sun shinning happily above me, the aroma of sweet and spicy delicacies tickled my nostrils. Guests and groom were having their breakfasts (and for some, probably their brunch :)) under decorated tents clothed in pink and white fabrics. They feasted on “gulab jamun”, cake, pakoras, coconut candies, tea and coffee for their morning spread. Like all weddings, guests were dressed in their best attire and our client… he was handsome in his traditional Punjabi wedding suit and on his head was a beautiful “head cover” (turban) with tassles of beads covering his face.

The temple is very much like a house with large pillarless seating area. At the far end of it, placed in the centre is a shrine/altar which holds the sacred “Book”. There are no idols in a Sikh temple unlike that in an Indian or a Buddhist temple or a church. Inside, the temple is fully carpeted, well lit and air-conditioned. The guests were comfortable. His little guests, however, were very comfortable to the extent that they were in lullaby land after a lovely meal and were oblivious of the ceremony. :). As for me, it is a good refuge from the scorching sun to learn and suck in knowledge!

Initially, I was sceptical whether I could enter the temple in my “tudung”. More so, I have different features than my client and his guests who have sharp features :). I could stand out like a sore thumb in the crowd! I was also afraid that I might offend the guests and the temple. Upon enquiring and much to my relief, non-Sikh guests are welcome to enter their temple provided they dress decently and cover their heads (both male and female) with a piece of cloth. In this respect, it is similar to the Muslim’s requirement for guests who enter mosques for prayers. Therefore, I was fine :).

I looked for the Bride but she was no where in sight! After awhile of walking all over the temple absorbing new knowledge first hand, I could see a car coming into the compoung looking like a Bridal car. The glimpse that I had of her in the Bridal car was that she was created to perfection - beauty and brains! She was stunningly beautiful! I like to watch Hindustani movies but this event, my dear readers, beats the movies as I could savour the whole thing … LIVE! Boy! Don’t I sound excited? Anyway, as she made her way into the temple, I could see all eyes gawked at her and much to my embarrassment, so did mine. I watched the groom closely and I could see that he was awed and proud that she is his … for better or for worse. From afar, his tender eyes looked at her lovingly and secretly they were detailing her and her every move.

The ceremony was conducted in English, except for the prayers. The couple were advised prior to walking around the shrine. These were simple but valuable advises for the couple to live together as husband and wife, till death do you part. The ones that I could remember apart from telling our client not to look with interest at other women (except for his wife, Sangeeta) were :

- Trust each other.

- Know what the other is doing (but not as policeman or policewomen. Hehehe…)

- Respect family.

- Live within your means.

- Live a simple life.

- If couple is faced with any form of problem, seek guidance from “Guru” (i.e. God) and not others.

Further, they were explained the significance of walking around the gaily lighted shrine (not fire as seen in the movies). It seems that for every walk around the shrine signifies the couple’s promise to Guru (i.e. God). Our client walked slowly around the shrine 4 times promising silently themselves as follows :

1st round - To perform the responsibility of married life.

2nd round - Speak the truth.

3rd round - Mind is filled with life and love.

4th round - Mind has become peaceful and couple has achieved their wish.

While the couple walked around the shrine, male members of the family (normally father, brothers, uncles and close cousins) who had arranged themselves equidistance circling the shrine gave blessings to the couple as they walked past each family member. Upon completion of this ritual, there were more prayers by the priestess and priest. The whole affair ended in the giving everyone present something sweet (a delicacy) to eat by the temple. Thereafter, everyone present each convey their good wishes to the couple. CONGRATULATIONS SHYAM AND SANGEETA from RCE!

I was told that the ceremony would take about 45 minutes max. but it took much …, much more. Nevertheless, like our client’s little guests, I was oblivious of the time and when I looked at the time on my mobile, it was well past noon when the whole event ended and I quickly said goodbye and made my way for an afternoon appointment with another RCE’s client. Mustn’t be late :)! Zoom… :).

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at 10:42 pm and is filed under Our Work. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.