A Complete and Exclusive Guide to Religious Jain Wedding Rituals!

Indias diversity is very beautifully reflected in its wide variety of different wedding rituals. While we know about different the different Indian wedding rituals and traditions extensively, Jain Wedding Rituals often stay behind the curtains. So we have a list of all Jain wedding rituals for your simplistic jain wedding.

1. Khol Barana and Tikka 

   Khol Barana is the official starting of marriage traditions after everything is fixed between the bride and groom’s family. As a custom, the groom’s family is required to provide a silver plate with the auspicious coconut and some cash as a Shagun to the bride. Also customarily the bride’s family going to the groom’s home with gifts is known as the tikka.

   

2. Lagna Lekhna 

   The Lagna Lekhan is a ceremony in which Puja is conducted at the bride’s place where the date of the wedding is decided. They decide the precise time and date of the wedding. Accordingly, the time and date are then sent to the groom’s house. The astrologers try to find a marriage muhurat. 

   

3. Lagna Patrika Vachan

   Lagna Patrika Vachan starts with reading out of a letter by the priest at the groom’s residence. The Patrika is read after the groom performs the Vinayakyantra puja. Usually, the letter read is formally drafted and it contains the Muhurat of the wedding. Moreover, a Lagna Patrika Vachan for Jain wedding rituals is quite similar to the Marathi Lagna Patrika.
   

4. Sagai

   Sagai is a very common pre-wedding ceremony across all communities. Jain engagement ceremonies don’t involve the couple exchanging rings. The engagement is announced through a tilak according to Jain wedding rituals. Also, the families exchange gifts and sweets. Usually, it is the brother of the bride who does the tikka.

   

5. Mehendi

   While the intention and timing for the Mehndi ceremony are quite similar to one across all communities. But we do see subtle differences here. Jain mehendi functions are a very homely affair. The men and women come together to apply mehendi designs on the brides hand. Moreover, they even have designs for the groom.

   

6. Bana Bethai

   Jain wedding rituals have their version of the Haldi ceremony. It’s called the Bana Betai. Instead of turmeric paste, the bride and the groom get a dab of chickpea paste or besan. Additionally, a ritualistic bath happens after the Bana Bethai.

   

7. Mada Mandap

   Jain wedding rituals include the Mada Mandap ceremony, which takes place at the groom’s and bride’s residences. This ritual is performed by a priest. Also, it is a ritual of consecrating the Mandap where the wedding is going to take place.

   

8. Baarati and Aarti

   The next ritual is Barati and Aarti. In this, the bride’s brother applies tika on the groom’s forehead. He also offers him gifts. The groom too applies tika on his brother-in-law’s forehead and also gives him a coconut. Furthermore, the married women from the bride’s side perform traditional aarti.

   

9. Kanyavaran 

   According to Jain wedding rituals, the bride’s parents place some money and rice grains on the bride’s right palm. The bride is presented to the groom by her parents. Thereafter, the priest starts reciting mantras and pouring water over the couple’s hands.

   

10. Ganthi Bandhan 

    A married female from the groom’s family, usually the mother of the groom comes to tie the clothes of the bride and groom. Furthermore, this prepares them for the pheras.

    

11. Mangal Phera

    Here comes the most essential Jain wedding ritual. Like in most other cultures, couples take seven rounds around the sacred fire. During the pheras, the pandit keeps chanting the holy mantras but unlike the normal Hindu and Punjabi wedding, the guests do not shower flowers on the couple. The seven pheras and the seven vows happen simultaneously. Finally, the bride then sits towards the left of the groom.

    

12. Ashirvadas Jain Wedding Rituals

    After the wedding is complete, the new couple seeks blessings from the elders of both families. Accordingly, the couple takes their blessing by touching their feet.

    

13. Sva Graha Aagamana

    And after a tearful Bidaai, arrives a beautiful beginning. The in-laws welcome the bride to her new home. But, the rituals here differ as per the region and local sect.

    

14. Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana

    This Jain wedding ritual is about doing some good for the entire community. The whole family prays at a Jain temple. Additionally, they then give food, donations, and gifts to the less fortunate.  

    

15. Reception Jain Wedding Rituals 

    The groom’s family hosts the reception. It is like the formal introduction of the bride to the extended family, relatives, friends, and social contacts. Also, this one has the maximum pomp and show among all the Jain wedding rituals.

    

    Follow us on our insta handle for more updates.