Your One-Stop Guide to Dressing Up For an Anand Karaj this Wedding Season
This beautiful ceremony warrants an outfit that is just as dreamy!
An Anand Karaj, or the traditional Sikh wedding ceremony, is a rather understated event. The wedding ceremony takes place at a Gurudwara, where the bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth Sahib while holy hymns are being recited, and has a very calm and subdued vibe, unlike a lot of other wedding ceremonies across cultures. Unlike a traditional Hindu wedding, an Anand Karaj doesn’t have choreographed dance routines, or baarats, or dhols. It is a very quiet, minimalistic ceremony. Naturally, the simplicity and serenity of the ceremony calls for the guests to be dressed in a way that aligns with the minimalism of the ceremony. Additionally, it is important to wear something that doesn’t disrespect the sanctity of the place—a Gurudwara has a dress code that must be followed. But planning a look for an Anand Karaj that’s both beautiful and appropriate doesn’t have to be so hard.
The most important thing to keep in mind while planning your look for an Anand Karaj is to keep it simple. You can choose to wear a lehenga, saree, sharara, gharara, or even a salwar suit, but keep it very modest. Do not go for anything too glam or revealing. Additionally, both men and women are required to cover their heads at a Gurudwara, so make sure to keep a scarf or a dupatta handy.
Everyone is required to sit on the floor at an Anand Karaj, so make sure to wear something comfortable. Don’t wear that elaborate saree if you’re not going to feel comfy sitting on the floor in it. You will also be removing your shoes outside the Gurudwara, so do not wear anything that is complicated to get out of and into. We suggest sticking to slip on shoes—Juttis, mules, Kolhapuri chappals.
For the colour, keep it nice and fresh. Anand Karaj is a day event, so the aesthetic often leans towards dreamy, subdued shades like pastels—sage green, blush pink, ice blue, lilac. Although if there’s no dress code, you can opt for brighter colours like emerald green, yellow, orange, deep purple etc. And steer clear of black.
So, if you’re attending an Anand Karaj, keep it simple, fuss-free, and incredibly elegant!