Jain Pre & Post Wedding Rituals and Ceremonies

List of Jain Wedding (Pre Wedding, Wedding Day & Post Wedding) Rituals or Ceremonies

Getting Married in 2022? Book Professional Photographer for your Wedding. or Call @ +91 93-106-555-76

Jain Pre wedding Rituals/Ceremonies

1. Khol Barana and Tikka

Khol Barana is an initial occasion in which the groom’s family visits the bride’s family. It involves a meeting of close members of the family. They come along with a silver platter containing coconut and some cash as shagun. It’s an auspicious occasion that is celebrated with gifts etc. It’s a beginning event that is held with so much generosity. Tikka or tilak ceremony is a similar event in which the bride’s family visits the groom’s family with gifts etc.

2. Lagna Lekhan

Lagna lekhan is yet another special occasion that is held at the bride’s home. The puja is held on the occasion of deciding the wedding date by the priest. Some close relatives and friends come to be a part of this small puja. This kind of practice is very common in various other Indian communities as well. After the conduction of the whole program, the wedding date and time are then sent to the groom’s house. It’s a way of deciding the ideal “mahurat” for the wedding ceremony. This practice also takes place in various religions.

3. Lagna Patrika Vachan

Lagna Patrika vachan is a unique ceremony in which a letter is drafted by the priest in which the date and timing of the wedding are written. The letter contains the mahurat of the wedding. After performing the vinayakantra puja, the letter that has come from the bride’s side is opened. Later, it’s read out by the priest in front of family members.

4. Sagai Ceremony

Also known as engagement, sagai is a ceremony in which the bride’s family visit the groom’s family and exchange various sweets and gifts. In the Jain community, engagement is not like the usual one in which rings are exchanged, it’s done through tilak. A puja happens and after that, the bride’s brother applies tilak or teeka on the groom’s forehead. Several gifts like cash, jewelry, money, clothes are also exchanged between the two families. This propitious event is attended by some close family members and friends of both sides.

5. Mehendi Ceremony

Mehendi ceremony is yet another interesting festival that is celebrated in the Jain community. It’s pretty similar to one that is celebrated across the nation. Mehendi ceremony is enjoyed and loved by all.

Mehendi artists or ladies who are good in this field come together to make beautiful designs for the bride and whole family. Specific Jain Mehendi designs are also famous in some places. The bride’s hands and feet are decorated incredibly with beautiful designs. Add to that, a little Mehendi is also applied over the groom’s hand. It’s a fun and interesting event that makes the occasion even more special.

6. Bana Betai (Haldi Ceremony)

Bana betai is typically a Haldi ceremony of the Jain community but instead of turmeric, a chickpea or besan paste is applied or rubbed by a married woman on the bride and groom. It’s followed by the ritualistic sacred bath.

7. Mada Mandap

Mada mandap is a favorable ceremony that happens at both bride and groom’s homes separately. It is one of the rituals that take place during the day of the auspicious wedding (Note: Check List of  Auspicious Wedding Dates in 2022). A puja is organized at the “mandap” ( wedding spot). The priest conducts a few pujas which help in the well-being of the couple and family.

8. Thamba Prathistai

On Thamba Prathistai ( also known as Kankanam Katusthathu) a sacred vessel is placed before God. After that a puja is conducted by the priest in which he prepares a sacred thread called Lankan am. After the kankanam is tied, the bride and groom are not supposed to see each other till the wedding.

Jain Wedding Day Rituals/Ceremonies

9. Ghudchadi

The joyous starts with ghudchadi within which the groom begins the baraat on the horse. He is accompanied by family, friends and so many other relatives. They keep dancing and singing throughout their way to the marriage venue. A tilak is also applied to the groom’s head. Later on, the groom visits the nearby temple to seek blessings as it’s considered sacred.

10. Aarti (Groom Welcome)

After reaching the wedding venue, the females of the family including the bride’s mother, welcome the groom and perform aarti. The groom is treated and welcomed with so much love and respect. He is also showered with numerous gifts. The ladies perform aarti and sing mangal geet which is quite famous among them.

11. Kanyavaran (Granthi Bandhan)

The puja starts and the bride is brought to the wedding spot. One rupee and 25 paise alongside some rice on the bride’s right palm. Afterward, the groom holds the bride’s hand and the priest starts chanting mantras. During this, the priest pours holy water into their hands. Later on, a married woman comes and the knots of the wedding, this process is also known as Granthi Bandhan.

12. Mangal Pheras

After kanyavaran, the couple takes pheras, which hold a lot of importance in the culture. Pheras are one of the significant parts of a marriage. They hold a lot of value in Jain and many other religions. They take 7 circles around a sacred fire. The priest chants mantras in between whereas the family and friends sing mangal geet and shower flowers. Garlands are also exchanged afterward. Subsequently, the bride becomes the new addition to the groom’s family.

13. Aashirvada

After the successful completion of the 7 pheras, the couple takes blessings from the elders by touching their feet for their future life. Respecting the elders is considered of the utmost importance in this culture so taking aashirvada ( or blessings) is one of the important things to do. It brings so much positivity, prosperity and helps in good fortune too.

Jain Post Wedding Rituals/Ceremonies

14. Bidaai Ceremony

Here comes the most emotional phase of all time, that is the Bidaai, wherein the bride officially leaves for her new house and family. It’s one of the toughest parts of a girl’s life as she has to leave her parent’s house and go to a new one. She bids an emotional goodbye to the parents.

15. Sva Graha Aagamana

The event takes place when the bride along with the groom comes to the groom’s house. The groom’s family welcomes the new married couple with great pomp and show.

16. Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana

The newlyweds then visit the nearby temple to seek the blessings from almighty.

17. Reception Ceremony

Reception is one of the most fun parties ever. It’s an event hosted to celebrate the marriage of the newly wedded couple. All relatives, friends, family come and gather to shower blessings to the couple. It is typically a big event that is celebrated with great pomp and show. It includes several fun and interesting activities like music, dance, games, etc.