Jain Wedding: Rituals, Customs, and Traditions

Pre-Wedding Rituals:

• Lagna Patrika: This is an essential pre-wedding ritual where the formal announcement of the wedding is made. A written document called the Lagna Patrika is prepared, which includes details such as the date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony. It is signed by both families and distributed among relatives and friends.
• Lagana Lekhan: In this ceremony, the official date and time of the wedding are fixed. The priest calculates the auspicious time for the wedding, taking into account factors like the positions of the stars and planets. The Lekhan involves writing down the chosen wedding date and time on a piece of paper, which is then placed in a sacred place for blessings.

Wedding Rituals:

• Baraat: The groom’s procession, known as the Baraat, sets off from his home to the wedding venue. The groom, accompanied by his family and friends, traditionally rides on a beautifully decorated horse or in a vehicle. The Baraat is a joyous celebration, with music, dancing, and singing.
• Varghoda: Before the groom leaves for the wedding venue, a Varghoda ceremony takes place. The groom’s mother applies a tilak (sacred mark) on his forehead and feeds him sweets. The groom then seeks blessings from his parents and relatives before departing.
• Var Mala and Pratikramana: The bride and groom exchange garlands (Var Mala) during the wedding ceremony. This symbolises their acceptance of each other as life partners. Pratikramana, a Jain ritual of introspection and seeking forgiveness, may also be performed during the wedding to purify the souls of the couple and their families.
• Mangal Pheras: The couple takes four pheras (circumambulations) around the sacred fire, symbolising their commitment to the four-fold path of right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and celibacy. Prayers and hymns are recited during this ritual.
• Seven Steps (Saptapadi): The bride and groom take seven steps together, representing their journey through the seven stages of life and their mutual promises to each other. With each step, they recite vows of love, trust, respect, and support.
• Kanyavaran: The bride’s parents symbolically offer their daughter to the groom during the Kanyavaran ritual. They place the bride’s hand in the groom’s hand, signifying the transfer of responsibility and trust.

Post-Wedding Rituals:

• Granthi Bandhan: The bride and groom are united through a symbolic knot tied by the priest. This knot represents their eternal bond and spiritual union.
• Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana: The couple offers donations to Jain temples or charitable causes as a way to seek blessings and express gratitude for their union.
• Reception: A grand reception is often held after the wedding ceremony to celebrate the union of the couple. Relatives, friends, and community members come together to offer their blessings and wishes to the newlyweds.

Food and Dietary Considerations:

Jains follow strict dietary guidelines that prohibit the consumption of certain foods, such as meat, eggs, and root vegetables. Jain wedding feasts, therefore, are usually vegetarian and consist of a wide variety of delicious dishes prepared without onion, garlic, or other restricted ingredients.