Simple,
traditional and ritualistic describes a Jain wedding aptly. Though the Jains do
not believe in a pompous display, a grand proclamation by the bride and the
groom during the occasion of the wedding ceremony is looked forward to. Let us
look at what makes a Jain wedding so special, so beautiful.
PRE-WEDDING
RITUALS
Laghana lekhan:
Laghana lekhan refers to a small puja that is held at the bride's house which is
attended by close relatives and friends. It is during this puja that the wedding
date and time is disclosed by the priest. At the end of the puja, a letter known
as lagan patrika is sent to the groom's home. The letter contains all the
details regarding the wedding date and time.
Lagna patrika vachan:
This refers to the ritual wherein the letter sent from the bride's home is read
out at the groom's place. Usually, it is announced on an auspicious day or on
the day of the engagement.
Sagai:
Sagai or engagement usually takes place at the groom's house. Wearing the
traditional Jain headgear, the groom performs the vinayakyantra puja. Once it is
completed, the bride's brother puts a tilak on the groom's forehead and presents
him with a gold chain, ring, clothes, coconut, sweets and money. Thereafter, the
lagna patrika is read out by the priest in front of all present. The groom then
seeks the blessings of the elders.
Maha mandap:
Held at both the bride and groom's places individually a day or two prior to the
wedding, it is conducted by the priest where he performs all the religious
rituals.
WEDDING
RITUALS
Baraati and aarti:
The groom's marriage procession is received by the bride's family as part of the
baraati ritual. The bride's brother and the groom apply tilak to each other and
exchange coconuts as a symbolic gesture of goodwill. The groom is also presented
with money, sweets and clothes by the bride's brother. Following this, married
ladies from the bride's side welcome the groom with a traditional aarti while
also singing traditional folk songs known as mangal geet.
Kanyavaran:
This is the official beginning of a Jain wedding ceremony. In this ritual, the
bride's parents places a one rupee and twenty five paise and rice on the bride's
right hand. The bride is then handed over to the bridegroom. The bride's father
now makes a public proclamation of the marriage in front of all the guests
present. The priest chants the mantras while pouring water on the hands of the
couple thrice.
Granthi bandhan:
In this ritual, a married woman ties the end of the groom's scarf to the bride's
pallu and makes a knot. It is a highly sacred moment and prepares the couple for
their pheras.
Pheras:
The most important ritual of the wedding ceremony, it is carried out at the
auspicious hour which is fixed previously by the priest. The couple circles
around the havan kund (sacred fire) four times, with the bride leading the first
round while the other three being led by the groom. The recitation of the
Mahaveerakshak stoot takes place in the background.
Mangal geet:
During the pheras, the ladies sing mangal geet and entertain. After this, the
couple takes seven vows, after which the bride is seated on the left side of the
groom. The bride is now called a vamangi, which symbolizes that she has now
become the better half of her husband. This is followed by the exchanging of
garlands. The ceremony is solemnized with the end of havan by shanipath and
visarjan.
POST-WEDDING
RITUALS
Ashirvada:
In this ceremony, the elders of both the families bless the newlywed couple. It
is to mark the beginning of their new life on an auspicious note.
Sva graha aagamana:
This refers to the first custom after the newlyweds reach the groom's place. As
the bride is considered auspicious for the family, she is welcomed with an open
heart by her new family.
Jina grahe dhan arpana:
It is an important post-wedding ritual of the Jain community. Alms are given to
the Jain temple to express gratitude for the successful completion of the
wedding ceremony. It is performed by both the bride and groom's families
respectively.
Reception:
Though not a traditional Jain ritual, a reception party is hosted by the groom's
family so as to formally introduce the new bride to the rest of the family,
relatives and friends of the
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