A decree by the supreme Sikh authority the Akal Takht has officially banned “destination weddings”, forbidding the sacred Anand Karaj Sikh marriage ceremony from being conducted at beaches, resorts and such locations outside of a Gurdwara.
Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had meeting with Five Singhs on Monday and put a blanket ban on destination weddings with Anand Karaj ceremonies at resorts and on the beaches.
The ban comes into place after years of frustration within Sikh communities at opportunists offering a paid service to forgo basic protocol around treatment of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scriptural Guru) to hold such ceremonies. Often families are either unaware of or persuaded to ignore this protocol for …want of picturesque wedding settings, an issue which will now see those involved held accountable for an anti-Sikh act.
The ‘saroop’ must not be present where the alcohol, non-vegetarian food or tobacco would be served or consumed.