Like all other religions, Jains also celebrate their weddings with great enthusiasm. The Jain wedding rituals are performed exclusively by Jain Pundits. Jain wedding rituals are carried out with a lot of pomp and fervor and they are colorful too.
GahoiMumbai.com is delighted to provide an insight to these Jain traditions…
Like all other religions, Jains also celebrate their weddings with great enthusiasm. They also have a number of rituals before and after wedding, which are performed with utmost simplicity and sanctity. Though in Jain religion, marriage is considered a worldly affair, it is still highly advocated. In Jain wedding ceremony, a grand public proclamation is made with the intention of bride and groom to live together for their entire life.
These rituals are tremendously ethnic and represent the traditional essence of India. The marriage is considered to be a public declaration after which the Jain people are expected to take on the responsibilities of a married life. The Jain wedding rituals are performed exclusively by Jain Pundits. Jain wedding rituals are carried out with a lot of pomp and fervor and they are colorful too.
Pre Wedding Rituals in Jain Wedding:
Lagana Lekhan – Pre Wedding Ritual:
Lagana Lekhan is a small puja, held at the bride’s house. Here, an auspicious date and time for the marriage is decided by the priest. It is then sent to the groom’s house.
Lagna Patrika Vachan – Pre Wedding Ritual:
The reading out letter by the priest, at the groom’s house is known as Lagna Patrika Vachan. This takes place after the Vinayakyantra puja is done by the groom.
Sagai – Pre Wedding Ritual:
The Sagai takes place at the groom’s place, wherein a puja is conducted. The bride’s brother applies tika on the groom’s forehead and presents him with gifts like gold chain, clothes, sweets, token money etc. The Lagan Patrika Vachan typically takes place after the Sagai ceremony.
Mada Mandap – Pre Wedding Ritual:
Next is the Mada Mandap ritual, which takes place at the bride’s as well as groom’s residence. All the rituals are performed by the priest. After this the Barati and Aarti ritual is held. On the arrival of the barat, the bride’s brother applies tika on the groom’s forehead and offers him gifts. The groom also applies tika on his brother-in-law’s forehead and gives him a coconut. Married women from the bride’s side perform traditional aarti and sing mangal geet.
Wedding Rituals and Traditions in Jain Wedding:
Phere are the most significant ritual in the Jain wedding. The bride and the groom are seated in the mandap. The father of the bride performs Kanyadaan or Kanyavaran ritual. He places one rupee and twenty five paise and rice in her right hand and hands her to the bridegroom. While chanting mantras, the priest pours holy water on the hands of the couple thrice. This is followed by Granthi Bandhan, in which a married woman ties the knot between the bride’s sari and groom’s shawl.
After this the mangal pheras take place around the holy fire. During the pheras mahaveerashtak strot is recited in the background while the ladies sing mangal geet. The couple also takes the seven vows after the pheras. After this, the bride is regarded as Vamangi, as she becomes the better of her husband. Next is the exchange of garlands between the couple. The havan finally concludes with Shantipath and Visarjan.
Post Wedding Rituals in Jain Wedding:
Ashirvada ceremony – Post Wedding Ritual:
After the marriage rituals are over the elders come forward to bless the newlywed couple for the forthcoming marital life. This is known as Ashirvada ceremony.
Sva Graha Aagamana – Post Wedding Ritual:
On the arrival of the couple to the groom’s house, the bride is given a warm welcome by her marital family. This ritual is called Sva Graha Aagamana.
Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana – Post Wedding Ritual:
As an expression of gratitude, donations are given in the Jain temple. This is known as Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana tradition.
Reception – Post Wedding Ritual:
Subsequently, a reception party is hosted by the groom’s family, in order to formally introduce the bride to family and friends.
Distinctive Features:
Some of the customs are exclusive. In the ‘ghudchadi’ ritual, groom is given his headgear and his mother and all relatives apply tika on his forehead. After this, the groom goes to temple riding a horse while other relatives follow him. It is not just the bride and groom that have to perform these rites, but also the families from both sides as well as guests. Jain Wedding rituals bring in a sense of unity to both families and also help to break the ice between the groom and bride.
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All this information is free and only for informational purpose.