Quick Answer
What is laavan?
The laavan are the four hymns (Laav) from the Guru Granth Sahib that are sung during the Sikh wedding, the anand karaj. As each laav is read and then sung, the couple walks one clockwise circle around the Guru Granth Sahib — four hymns, four rounds. Completing the fourth laav is what makes the marriage; the four stanzas describe the soul’s journey toward union with the Divine.
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Last updated:
What is laavan?
Also called: lavan, laava, four laav, laav, lavaan.
A Sikh marriage is not sealed by a knot or a necklace but by walking — four slow circles around the Guru Granth Sahib while four hymns are sung. Those four hymns are the laavan, composed by Guru Ram Das, and the couple completes one clockwise round for each, the groom leading and the bride following with the palla in hand. After the fourth laav they are married; there is no separate vow. For anyone managing the day, the laavan is the fixed point the whole morning is built around — it happens at the gurdwara, on the gurdwara’s clock, and it cannot be hurried for a late baraat.
What the laavan is and what happens
The laavan sit at the centre of the *anand karaj*, the Sikh wedding ceremony performed before the Guru Granth Sahib. Each of the four laav is first read aloud by the granthi, then sung by the ragis; while it is sung, the couple rises and walks a clockwise circle around the holy book. The marriage is complete only when all four rounds are done — the rite cannot be split, paused or shortened to suit a schedule.
- •The author — the four laav were composed by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, and sit within the Guru Granth Sahib.
- •Read, then sung — the granthi reads each laav aloud, then the ragis sing it as the couple rises and walks.
- •The circling — the couple moves clockwise around the Guru Granth Sahib once for each laav, the groom leading and the bride following, holding the *palla* (a scarf) that links them.
- •Four rounds, then married — after the fourth laav the marriage is complete; the Anand Sahib, an ardas (prayer) and a hukamnama usually follow.
The four laav, round by round
The four laav are not four vows but four stages of a single journey — the soul moving toward union with the Divine, with married life as the path. Understanding the arc helps a host explain it to non-Sikh guests, and helps a photographer know that the fourth round is the emotional peak.
| Round | Laav | What it signifies |
|---|---|---|
| First | Pehla Laav | Commitment to duty and a householder’s life of devotion |
| Second | Dooja Laav | Yearning for and meeting the Divine; love growing |
| Third | Teeja Laav | Detachment from worldly attachment; love deepening |
| Fourth | Chautha Laav | Union, harmony and the bliss (sahaj) of completion |
Inside the gurdwara, heads are covered, shoes are off, and nobody stands above the Guru Granth Sahib. Brief non-Sikh guests and your photographer in advance — a stack of clean scarves at the entrance saves a lot of awkwardness.
Tips for event managers
- •Build the day around the fixed laav timing the gurdwara and granthi give you — the anand karaj sets the schedule, not the other way around.
- •Brief everyone on gurdwara protocol: heads covered, shoes off, no alcohol or tobacco anywhere near, and seating on the floor — arrange discreet chairs at the back for the elderly.
- •Keep the circling path open around the Guru Granth Sahib so the couple can complete each laav without a guest or a tripod in the way.
- •Confirm the photographer knows the rules — many gurdwaras bar flash, standing above the Guru Granth Sahib, or shooting from certain angles.
Tips for wedding hosts
- •Tell non-Sikh guests in advance about head-covering and shoes, and keep a basket of clean scarves at the entrance.
- •Plan for the morning timing — the anand karaj is usually early, so sort the langar or breakfast and the guests’ arrival accordingly.
- •Arrange for someone to explain the four laav to mixed guests so the meaning is not lost in the Punjabi.
- •Keep the ceremony unhurried — this is the marriage itself, so do not let a late baraat or a tight venue slot rush the laav.
Get guests seated before the first laav
The anand karaj cannot pause for latecomers. Send the gurdwara timing and a morning reminder over WhatsApp so nobody misses the marriage itself.
See scheduled announcements →Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four laav about?
Each laav marks a stage in the soul’s journey toward union with the Divine — from duty and devotion, to yearning and meeting, to detachment, to the final harmony and bliss of union. Together they frame marriage as a spiritual path, not just a social bond.
How many times does the couple circle during the anand karaj?
Four times — once for each laav — walking clockwise around the Guru Granth Sahib, the groom leading and the bride following.
Who composed the laavan?
The four laav were composed by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, and are part of the Guru Granth Sahib.
When is the couple considered married in a Sikh wedding?
After they complete the fourth laav. There is no separate exchange of vows or rings — the four rounds around the Guru Granth Sahib are the marriage.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated