51 terms · Gurmukhi + English
Punjabi-Sikh wedding glossary
Every word you’ll hear across a Punjabi-Sikh wedding, from the Anand Karaj and Laavan to Choora, Kaleere and Jaggo, in plain English, with the Gurmukhi where it helps.
Rituals & rites
- Rokaਰੋਕਾ / ਥਾਕਾalso Thaka
- The first formal step, from ‘rokna’ (to stop): both families agree to the match and the search ends. The bride’s family visits the groom; the reverse (Thaka / Chunni Chadhana) is the groom’s family accepting the bride.Full guide
- Kurmaiਮੰਗਣੀ / ਕੁੜਮਾਈalso Mangni
- The official engagement. Rings are exchanged and an ardaas is done, often at the Gurdwara. ‘Kurmai’ means becoming kurma (related families).Full guide
- Chunni Chadhanaਚੁੰਨੀ
- The groom’s family drapes a chunni (scarf) over the bride and gives her jewellery, sweets and the wedding outfit, formally welcoming her into the family.Full guide
- Maiyanਮਾਈਆਂ / ਵਟਣਾalso Haldi, Vatna
- The turmeric ceremony: a vatna paste of haldi, gram flour and mustard oil is applied to the bride and groom at their own homes to bless and brighten them before the wedding.Full guide
- Jaggoਜਾਗੋ
- A high-energy night celebration where the maternal family dances through the night carrying a decorated, lamp-lit gaggar (copper pot). ‘Jaggo’ means ‘wake up’, calling the village to the wedding.Full guide
- Chooraਚੂੜਾalso Chura
- The set of red-and-white ivory bangles a bride wears, traditionally given and first placed by her maternal uncle (mama ji) on the wedding morning.Full guide
- Sehra Bandiਸਿਹਰਾ ਬੰਨਣalso Ghodi Chadhi
- Tying the sehra (floral/beaded veil) onto the groom’s turban before he sets off; traditionally he then rides a decorated mare (ghodi) to the wedding.Full guide
- Milniਮਿਲਣੀ
- The formal ‘meeting’ of the two families before the ceremony. Matching elders from each side (the two fathers, the mama-jis, etc.) greet, garland and exchange gifts.Full guide
- Doliਡੋਲੀ / ਵਿਦਾਈalso Vidaai
- The emotional farewell as the bride leaves her parental home for the groom’s. Historically she departed in a palanquin (doli); she throws phulian (puffed rice) over her shoulder as a blessing.Full guide
- Saganਸ਼ਗੁਨalso Shagun
- An auspicious gift of money, gold or clothing, given to bless an occasion. Families keep a vyavahar (record) of shagun given and received to reciprocate later.Full guide
- Vyavahar
- The running ledger a family keeps of every shagun given and received across weddings and events, so gifts can be reciprocated at the correct level.
Sikh faith & Gurdwara
- Anand Karajਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ
- ‘Blissful union’, the Sikh marriage ceremony, performed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, in which the couple is joined through the four Laavan.Full guide
- Laavanਲਾਵਾਂalso Lavaan
- The four wedding hymns composed by Guru Ram Das. The couple walks clockwise around the Guru Granth Sahib once for each Laav, each verse marking a stage of spiritual union.
- Guru Granth Sahib
- The eternal Guru of the Sikhs, the sacred scripture around which the Anand Karaj is performed and to whom the couple bows to seek blessing.
- Akhand Pathਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠ
- A continuous, unbroken reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib (~48 hours) by a team of readers, often completed the morning of the wedding for blessings.Full guide
- Ardaasਅਰਦਾਸ
- The formal Sikh prayer of supplication, offered standing before the Guru Granth Sahib to begin or conclude a ceremony and ask for blessings.
- Shabadਸ਼ਬਦ
- A hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib, sung as kirtan. Specific shabads such as ‘Pallē Tainḍē Lāgī’ are traditional at weddings.
- Langarਲੰਗਰ
- The free community kitchen and meal served to all at the Gurdwara, regardless of background, a cornerstone of Sikh seva (selfless service).
- Palki Sahibਪਾਲਕੀ
- The canopied palanquin under which the Guru Granth Sahib is seated with honour during the ceremony.
- Pallaਪੱਲਾ
- The scarf, one end held by the groom and the other given to the bride, symbolising their union. The bride holds the palla as the couple walks the Laavan.
Family & roles
- Granthiਗ੍ਰੰਥੀ
- The custodian who reads from and officiates before the Guru Granth Sahib, and who conducts the Anand Karaj.
- Ragiਰਾਗੀalso Raagi Jatha
- Musicians who sing shabads (hymns) from the Guru Granth Sahib, including the Laavan during the Anand Karaj.
- Nankeਨਾਨਕੇ
- The maternal grandparents’ side of the family (mother’s parents and their kin). The nanke traditionally host the Jaggo and provide the choora.
- Dadkeਦਾਦਕੇ
- The paternal grandparents’ side of the family (father’s parents and their kin).
- Mama jiਮਾਮਾ
- Maternal uncle (mother’s brother), who holds a place of honour, traditionally giving the bride her choora and leading the nanke’s role.
- Bhua jialso Phua
- Paternal aunt (father’s sister), who often has ceremonial gift-giving roles such as tying the kaleere.
- Massi ji
- Maternal aunt (mother’s sister).
- Chacha jiਚਾਚਾalso Chachu
- Paternal uncle (father’s younger brother); his wife is the Chachi. Part of the dadke side of the family.
- Taya jiਤਾਇਆ
- Paternal uncle (father’s elder brother); his wife is the Tayi. Like the Chacha, part of the dadke side.
- Kurmaalso Kuram
- The relationship term between the two sets of parents once their children marry. The fathers become one another’s kurma.
Attire & adornment
- Kaleereਕਲੀਰੇalso Kalire
- Ornate golden, dome-shaped danglers tied to the bride’s choora by her sisters and cousins; she taps them over unmarried girls’ heads for good fortune.
- Sehraਸਿਹਰਾ
- The veil of flowers or beaded strings hung from the groom’s turban that covers his face; also the name of the song sung as it is tied.
- Chunniਚੁੰਨੀalso Dupatta
- A long scarf worn over the head or shoulders; central to the Chunni Chadhana ceremony.
- Phulkariਫੁਲਕਾਰੀ
- ‘Flower work’, traditional Punjabi embroidery of dense silk florals on a shawl or dupatta, worn and gifted at weddings.
- Sherwani
- The groom’s formal long coat, usually worn with a churidar and a turban for the Anand Karaj.
- Lehenga
- The bride’s outfit of an embroidered long skirt, blouse and dupatta; red and other bright shades are traditional.
- Kalgi
- The ornamental brooch or plume pinned to the front of the groom’s turban.
- Paghਪੱਗalso Dastaar, Pagg
- The turban worn by Sikh men, and by the groom and his family at the wedding. A ‘pagh banan wala’ ties them on the day; matching paghs for the groom’s side are a point of pride.
Items & samaan
- Kirpanਕਿਰਪਾਨ
- The ceremonial sword worn by initiated Sikhs, one of the Five Ks (articles of faith).
- Karaਕੜਾ
- A steel or iron bracelet worn by Sikhs, one of the Five Ks; also a common shagun gift to the groom.
- Gaggar
- A decorated copper or brass pot, topped with lit candles or diyas, carried on the head during the Jaggo.
- Samaan
- The collective term for the ‘things you need’: the ritual items, gifts and supplies gathered for each ceremony.
- Thaal
- A large round tray used to present shagun, sweets, dry fruits or ritual items.
Music & dance
- Dholਢੋਲ
- The large double-headed Punjabi drum whose beat drives the baraat, Jaggo, Milni and reception.
- Dholkiਢੋਲਕੀ
- A smaller two-headed hand drum used at ladies’ sangeet and mehndi nights to accompany boliyan.
- Bhangraਭੰਗੜਾ
- The energetic Punjabi folk dance, performed by men and women alike, that anchors sangeet and reception celebrations.
- Giddhaਗਿੱਧਾ
- A lively women’s folk dance performed in a circle, punctuated by clapping and sung boliyan.
- Boliyanਬੋਲੀਆਂ
- Short Punjabi folk couplets, often teasing or celebratory, sung call-and-response during giddha and the sangeet.
- Sangeetਸੰਗੀਤ
- The musical night before the wedding: family and friends sing, dance and perform, traditionally led by the women with a dholki.Full guide
Food & sweets
- Pinniਪਿੰਨੀ
- A dense round Punjabi sweet of wheat flour, ghee, jaggery and dry fruits, a classic shagun and winter wedding treat.
- Mithai
- The umbrella term for Indian sweets (ladoo, barfi, kaju katli) boxed and exchanged as shagun throughout the wedding events.
Know the words? Now plan the day.
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