Roka

This is the first step where meeting of two family members is arranged at brides home and
the grooms immediate family members are invited. The word Roka means to stopAnd in this
perspective it is to stop the search of partner as the perfect match has been found

Kurmai (Engagement)
This is a formal engagement ceremony which is performed at grooms place or gurdhwara
Family members are invited and groom presents the engagement ring. This is also when the
brides family members offer kara (sikh steel bangle) to the groom. Engagement ceremony is
started with a short prayer by granthi (sikh priest). After which red scarf is placed around the
grooms shoulder along with dried dates according to granthis instruction and then
grandfather feeds that dried dated to the groom after which food and drinks are enjoyed by all

Maiya (cleansing and purifying)

This function is performed by both families at their respective homes. This ceremony should
be perform for 5days in total before wedding. Oil is brushed into bride and grooms hair with
olive branches, and their body is massaged with turmeric powder. Girls performing maiya has
red string (thread) tied around their wrist, during this ceremony red scraf is hold above the
bride or grooms head. At each corner of the scarf girls take turn to hold scarf and traditional
songs are sung and enjoyed by all.

NanKi Shak
In this process gifts are exchanged at bride and grooms respective home leading by the
uncle. Sometimes a priest performs small pooja (ceremony) before exchange of gift or this
ceremony can be formal get together.

On The wedding day

Sehra Bandi
This is performed by immediate family members of groom at his home or in absence of
brides family. Sehra (a heavy embroidery veil) is fixed onto the grooms head which is then
tied on turban. This moment is qite sentiment for grooms parents and sister as he becomes a
mature and responsible man entering his new life.Lotif sweets and money is exchange.
Sometimes priest is called to perform a small ritual

Soorma and Kalgi

The father of groom ties turban for him indicating that his son has become mature and
responsible to support this family and start his new life. His sister in law adds kohl to line his
eyes with soorma and his sister put a feather jewelry on his turban. As hes about to leave his

sisters stop him and mischiefs about the eagerness he has to meet his bride, he is allowed
to leave only after he gifts his sisters. After being anointed on oil he leave to meet his bride

Barat
Most of the people performs this ceremony as fun, the godi (horse) is served nuts and groom
assembles on the horse. Traditional music and dance is performed by all the family members
and they visit the venue of wedding by dancing.

Anandkaraj
This is also known as ceremony of bliss which starts with kirtan- traditional singing of
hymns. The bride is escorted in by her brothers and uncle while the groom sits in from of the
holy book called Guru Granth Sahib. The priest leading this ceremony explains the sikh
philosophy of marriage. After which the couple and their parents are asked to stand for
prayers (ardas).

The Laavan (four prayers)

Laavan are the four prayers that seals the marriage, the bride and groom move clockwise
around guru granth sahib as ragis finish the prayer. The couples bow to the holy book and
wait for next verse. During this ceremony the groom is given one end of palla (scarf) on his
shoulder and other end is hold by bride. After completion of laavan the worshippers showers
flower on the couples in significance of blessing and the couple are officially married now.
The ceremony is ended with final prayer and distribution of guruprasad to guest.

Shaggan
In this ceremony all the family members and guest bless couples with gifts or money for their
best future and life.

Reception party
This ceremony is just for enjoyment. The reception party is at location where food and drink
is served and guest enjoy with lots of music and entertainment.

Doli
The bride sits in a traditional doli which is lifted by four people, this is very emotional moment for her
parents as their daughter is leaving from her home to start her new life. The mother of bride stands
behind her holding a scarf or her sari palla while the bride showers rice all over the room with rice,
praying her home to remain happy and prosperous forever and she is escorted to her car.

Describe a wedding you attended.

You should say:

.When it was
Who got married

.What happened at the wedding

And explain whether it was a typical wedding ceremony.
Model Answer:
One of the memorable wedding ceremonies that I attended and enjoyed was the wedding party of my
cousin. It was in the year 2007 and I was 21 years old at that time. I can recall that it was mid-summer
and I took 4 days leave from my university to attend the program.
My cousin Ruby got married and she was the daughter of my eldest maternal uncle. Among our
cousins she was the eldest and she was 24 years old when she got married to a doctor. I was in the
wedding from the very beginning: shopping till the departure of the bride to her father-in-laws house.
The whole house was decorated, we celebrated a ceremony 3 days long, lots of relatives and neighbors
came to congratulate the bride and they brought some gifts for her as well. The host prepared several
delicious dishes and sweets and everyone wear new and traditional dresses. Every one enjoyed, sang
and danced, the whole program was recorded and every one cried when the bride left the house.
Yes that was a typical wedding that followed the general traditions and customs. It was nothing
different from the traditional marriages that are generally performed in most of the part of the country
except some minor tribes and society. If fact we enjoyed the wedding because a typical marriage
ceremony in our country has lots of interesting and enjoyable parts that people celebrates with
boundless joys. We mostly followed the customs and thoroughly enjoyed the whole wedding program.

IELTS Speaking Question 1: Have you ever been to a wedding?

Answer A: Yes! Being a social person, I love attending functions. I have been to
many weddings of my relatives and close friends.
Answer B: Frankly speaking, I didnt get the privilege to attend a
wedding ceremony. Due to the hectic schedule of my job, I am not
able to deliver certain responsibilities. So, my family attends
functions on my behalf. But, in the future, I would surely like to be a
part of a grand marriage ceremony.

IELTS Speaking question 2: What clothes do people wear?

Answer A: Well, the dressing style in marriage functions is very
different from casual dressing. Both men and women prefer to wear
ethnic outfits which are vibrant and colorful.
Answer B: I think wedding functions are not only joyful but they also
provide the opportunity to dress up and show up the style. From
formal suits to Sherwani, all love to dress up in a pure traditional
way. Even small kids can be seen in ethnic costumes.

IELTS Speaking question 3: Describe the wedding ceremony?

Answer : A couple of weeks ago, I attended a wedding with my
parents. That was a very simple wedding held at a famous Sikh
temple in my hometown. The guests from both, bride as well as
grooms side, were there. A special lunch was organized for the
guests in the temple. After lunch all guests assembled in the main
hall where the holy book Shri Gurugranth Sahib was kept. The
bride and groom, who were looking gorgeous, gently walked around
the sacred book five times. All the guests congratulated the couple
and posed for the photographs. All of us returned home after the
ceremony.
IELTS Speaking question 4: What sort of gifts do people buy for the
bridal couple?
Answer A: I have seen people buying gifts as a token of affection for
the bridal couple. This is the best possible way to congratulate them
for their auspicious future. Some people buy jewellery or clothes,
some of them give paintings or honeymoon ticket to the newly-wed
couple. People even buy electric appliances for the couple. The
brides family may give a two- wheeler or four-wheeler vehicle to
the couple or furniture is also a viable option.
IELTS Speaking question 5: What is the most common tradition of
wedding in your country?
Answer A: Well, India being a land of diversity and home of many
civilizations of numerous ethnic groups, has a fascinating

assortment of cultural wedding traditions. There are Hindu

marriages, Christian marriages, Muslim weddings and many more.
In Hindu weddings, the most common tradition is that bride and
groom gently walk around the sacred fire seven times. After that
the couple promises to stay together in thick and thin.