Sikh · Pre-wedding

Chunni Chadana

The groom's family welcomes the bride into their family with gifts and a chunni (veil).

Also known as: chunni chadana, chunni chadayi, chunni ceremony

What it means

The groom's mother and female relatives visit the bride, drape a red chunni over her head, and present her with jewellery, sweets, and outfits — formally accepting her as a daughter of their family.

What happens

  1. 1The groom's family arrives at the bride's home with gifts and sweets.
  2. 2The groom's mother drapes a chunni over the bride and applies a tilak or feeds her something sweet.
  3. 3Jewellery and outfits are presented; blessings are exchanged.
This explanation is under review by a religious authority — a companion to, not a replacement for, your granthi.

More Sikh rituals

Kurmai (Sikh engagement)
The Sikh engagement, often held in a Gurdwara, formalising the match between the families.
Maiyan / Vatna
A turmeric paste (vatna) is applied to the bride and groom at their own homes before the wedding.
Milni (Sikh)
The two families formally meet at the Gurdwara before the Anand Karaj, beginning with Ardas.
Anand Karaj (Laavan)
The Sikh marriage ceremony — the couple takes four rounds around the Guru Granth Sahib as the Laavan hymns are sung.
← Kurmai (Sikh engagement)Maiyan / Vatna →
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