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Hindu Marriage ceremony.
Explanations based on the writings of
Dr.S.R.Sehgal, M.A.Ph.D.
Pre-marriage
ceremonies
(performed
at their respective place of residence).
Having previously recited the Vedic
Mantras in adoration of the Lord, invoking His blessings (Swasti Vachana) and
prayed for peace on earth and goodwill to all beings (Shanti Prakarana) and
having performed the usual Homa (Sacred fire ceremony), the bride and the
bridegroom shall, at the appointed time, enter the altar (Vedi), specially
erected for the performance of their marriage ceremony.
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Part 1
I Reception of the bridegroom (Vara Satkaarah)
[Note: As soon as the bridegroom’s party arrives, they are warmly
welcomed by the bride's parents, relatives and friends. At the entrance of the
hall the threshold ceremony is performed. The officiating priest chants a few
mantras of blessings and welcome. The threshold ceremony requires the bride’s
mother to receive and bless the groom with rice, red tumeric powde (kumkum)
etc., by applying tilak (red dot and uncooked rice) on the groom’s forehead. She
sprinkles rice and red tumeric powder on the groom, and then blesses him with
the palms of both hands- stretching them close to the groom’s head. Now the
priest and the bride’s parents lead the bridegroom and his parents to the stage
where they are given appropriate seats.All the other guests take their seats in
the hall to witness the marriage ceremony.]
To the accompaniment of ceremonial mantras by the officiating priest the bride’s
parents welcome the groom by invoking God’s blessings and then offering the
bridegroom a nutritious drink called Madhuparka. This is called the Madhuparka
Ceremony, the origin of which dates back thousands of years when Rishis and
sages of India used it as a way of welcoming guests.]
The bridegroom shall stand facing the east. The Bride shall stand facing the
north. The bride (offering the seat or Asana, shall address the bridegroom as
follows:
The bride:
AUM, The noble one may accept and take the seat.
The bridegroom:
AUM, I am taking my seat. [Om, Pratigrahnami].
The bride shall take her seat to the right of the bridegroom.
The bridegroom performs the Achamana and Angasparsha with water.
[Note: All Hindu religious ceremonies begin with two observances, namely
Achaman or sipping a small quantity of water and angasparsha or touching one’s
limbs with one’s right hand middle two fingers with a little water. Achaman is
purificatory and conducive to peaceful attitude of mind. Angasparsha is intended
to pray for physical strength and alertness. Achaman and Angasparsha are
performed with the aid of Mantras].
Madhuparka Ceremony
Holding with his left hand a cup of Madhuparka (composed of honey, curd and
ghee or clarified butter), after removing the cover and looking at the
Madhuparka,
The bridegroom says:
May the breeze be sweet as honey; may the streams flow full of honey and may the
herbs and plants be laden with honey for us! May the nights be honey-sweet for
us; may the mornings be honey-sweet for us and may the heavens be honey-sweet
for us! May the plants be honey-sweet for us; may the sun be all honey for us
and may the cows yield us honey-sweet milk!
[Note: ‘honey-sweet’ = pleasant, advantageous, conducive to happiness.]
The bridegroom shall pour out the Madhuparka into three cups and then partake a
little of it from each of the cups reciting the following Mantra:
The bridegroom:
The honey is the sweetest and the best. May I have food as sweet and
health-giving as this honey and may I be able to relish it!
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Gift of a cow
[Note: The bride’s father symbolically offers to the bridegroom a cow as a
present. In olden times sons-in-law received real cows as gifts, since that was
the most precious asset with which a newly wedded couple could start life. This
part of the tradition has been preserved by a symbolical presentation. At the
conclusion of the first part of the wedding ceremony, it is customary to present
gifts to the bride. The bridegroom presents the bride with gifts of clothing and
jewellery thereby acknowledging his life-long duty to provide her with the
necessities of life.]
The father of the bride, offering to the bridegroom the present of a cow, a
finger-ring or some other suitable article says:
The father of the bride:
AUM, (Please) accept these presents.
The bridegroom:
AUM, I accept (these presents).
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II The giving away of the bride (Kanya-Danam)
[Note: ‘Kanya’ means daughter or girl. ‘Daan’ means giving away. This is an
important part of the marriage ceremony in which the bride’s parents give her
away to the groom by entrusting her to the bridegroom. The officiating priest
chants appropriate verses in Sanskrit. The people in the audience (the public)
is now notified that the parents have willingly expressed their wish and consent
by requesting the groom to accept their daughter as his bride. As soon as the
groom indicates his acceptance the bride’s parents place their daughter’s right
hand into the bridegroom’s right hand. The parents now bestow their blessings on
both the bride and the groom and pray to the Lord to shower His choicest
blessings on them.]
The father of the bride, placing her right hand on the right hand of the
bridegroom, says:
The father of the bride:
Be pleased to accept hand of my daughter (name of the bride) of the Gotra (here
the surname of the family shall be given).
The bridegroom:
AUM, I do accept.
The bridegroom makes an Offering of the garment and the scarf to the bride to
wear.
The bridegroom wears the garments and the scarf offered by the parents of the
bride.
Then facing each other The bride and the bridegroom speak as follows:
Ye learned people assembled at this sacred ceremony know it for certain
that we two hereby accept each other as companions for life and agree to live
together most cordially as husband and wife. May the hearts of us both be
blended and beat in unison. May we love each other like the very breath of our
lives. As the all-pervading God sustains the universe, so may we sustain each
other. As a preceptor loves his disciple, so may we love each other steadfastly
and faithfully.
- RigVeda X.85.47
Addressing the bride, the bridegroom says:
1.Distant though we were, one from the other, we stand now united. May we be of
one mind and spirit!
2. Through the grace of God, may the eyes radiate benevolence. Be thou my
shield. May thou have a cheerful heart and a smiling face. May thou be a true
devotee of God and mother of heroes. May thou have at heart the welfare of all
living beings!
Rig Veda X.85.44
The bride:
I pray that henceforth I may follow thy path. May my
body be free from disease and defect and may I ever
enjoy the bliss of your companionship!
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Part 2
III. The Nuptial Homa (Vivah-homa or the sacred
fire ceremony).
[Note: All solemn rites and ceremonies commence with the performance of Homa
(sacred fire ceremony) among the followers of Vedic religion. The idea is to
begin all auspicious undertakings in an atmosphere of purity and spirituality.
This atmosphere is created by the burning of fragrant herbs and ghee and by the
recitation of suitable Mantras. Also see Page ‘Mantras-Sacred Fire’].
The Achaman and Angasparsha are performed for the second time. The bride also
participates.
The three Achaman mantras involve sipping of a little water three times.
The seven Angasparsha mantras involve touching water with the right hand middle
two fingers apply the water to various limbs first to the right side and then
the left side as follows:
Mouth 2.Nostrils 3.Eyes 4.Ears 5.Arms 6.Thighs 7. Sprinkling water all over the
body.
IV. Acceptance of Hand (Pani-Grahanam).
The bridegroom rising from his seat and facing the bride, shall raise her right
hand with his left hand and then clasping it says:
The bridegroom:
I clasp thy hand and enter into the holy state of matrimony so that we may be
blessed with prosperity and noble progeny. Mayst thou live with me happily
throughout life! Through the grace of the all-mighty Lord, who is the Creator
and Sustainer of the universe and in the presence of this august assemblage,
thou art being given away in marriage so that we may together rightly perform
our duties as householders.
• With all my strength and resources, I have clasped thy hand; and thus united,
we shall together follow the path of virtue. Thou art my lawfully wedded wife
and I am thy lawfully wedded husband.
• God, the protector and sustainer of all, has given thee to me. From today, it
devolves upon me to protect and maintain thee. Blessed with children, mayst thou
live happpily with me as thy husband for the full span of human life (a hundred
years).
• Following the divine law and the words of wisdom uttered by the sages, may we
make a good couple and may God vouchsafe unto us a shining life of virtue and
happiness.
• As God nourishes and sustains all creatures through His great forces like the
sun, the moon, the earth, the air etc., so may He bless my wife with healthy and
virtuous progeny and may you all assembled here bless her!
• I accept thee as my partner for life. I will not keep away even mentally
anything from thee. I will share with thee all I enjoy. We will persevere in the
path of virtue, surmounting all obstacles.
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V. Solemn vows (Pratigna-Karanam)
The bridegroom taking the palm of the bride into his hand helps her to rise and
then they both shall walk round the altar, the bride leading. Then facing the
east take the solemn vows:
The bridegroom:
O virtuous one! I have accepted thee thoughtfully and so hast thou accepted me.
Out of the fullness of love have I accepted thee and so hast thou accepted me. I
am the Sama and thou art the Rik. I am the Dyau (heaven) and thou art the earth.
We marry each other joyously. May we be blessed with bright, heroic and
long-lived children!
The bride and the bridegroom:
Let us be devoted to each other. Let us share each other’s joys and sorrows,
wish each other well and look upon each other with love and live for at least a
hundred years. May we live happily for at least a hundred years. May we live,
listening to sweet words for at least a hundred years.
VI. Ascending the slab(or stepping on the stone) [Shila
arohanam or Shilarohanam]
[Note: ‘Shila’ means stone. ‘Arohan’ means ascending or stepping upon. This
is the stone-stepping ceremony. The mother of the bride assists her to step onto
a stone and counsels her to prepare herself for a new life. A married couple is
likely to encounter ups and downs, joys and sorrows, prosperity and adversity,
sickness and health. In spite of difficulties facing them they are enjoined to
remain steadfast and true to each other (just as a stone can weather any storm-
rock- steady).
The bride shall place her riight foot on the slab (stone), assisted by her
mother or her brother. The priest recites a Mantra from the Atharva Veda (AV
II.13.4)
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VII. The fried-rice offerings (Laja-Homah)
[Note: ‘Laja’ means puffed rice or barley like popcorn.]
The bride shall place the palms of her hands over those of the bridegroom and
make three offerings (ahutis) of fried rice soaked in ghee (clarified butter).
The bride:
1. I adore God, the unifier of hearts. Now that I am leaving my parents’ home
for my husband’s, I pray that He may keep us perpetually united!
2. With these offerings I pray for Long life for my husband and for the
prosperity of all our relations!
3. (Addressing her husband) In making these offerings for your prosperity I once
again pray that God may bless this union of our hearts!
VIII. Circumambulation around the sacred fire
(Parikrama or Pradakshina or Mangal fera)
[Note: This is an auspicious and important part of the marriage ceremony. It
consists in walking around the sacred fire (clockwise) four times. This aspect
of the ceremony and the one that follows, namely Saptapadi (seven steps)-
constitute the most important part, in as much as it legalises the marriage
according to Hindu custom and tradition. These two aspects of the marriage
ceremony establish an indissoluble matrimonial bond between the couple.]
In the first three rounds the bridegroom leads the bride as they circle together
around the sacred fire. In the fourth (last) round, the bride leads the
bridegroom around the sacred fire.
In each round around the sacred fire, an appropriate mantra is recited which
expresses noble sentiments in relation to their future matrimonial life. Each
round culminates in both the bride and the bridegroom placing offerings or
ahutis of fried rice in the sacred fire. The Hindu religion emphasises enjoyment
of life as well as the discharging of family, social and national
responsibilities.
During the first three rounds, God’s blessings and help are sought; loyalty to
each other is emphasised and; a promise to keep in mind the well-being and care
of the future children is made.
In the fourth (last) round (led by the bride) the bride promises that she will
lead her life according to the tenets of the Hindu religion, namely Satya and
Dharma or Truth and devotion to duty, and that she will always ensure that the
bridegroom can rely on her to carry out her family, religious and household
duties.
The bridegroom then places his hand on the bride’s head and states that
henceforth she will be his wife and he will shield her against any danger or
harm. At the end of the four rounds they shall exchange seats, the bride taking
her seat to the left of the bridegroom.]
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IX. Seven Steps (Saptapadi)
The ends of their garments (the bridegroom’s scarf and upper garment
of the bride) are tied together by the priest (signifying marriage knot).Then
both shall stand facing the north. The bridegroom shall place his right hand
upon the right shoulder of the bride.
They shall take the first step in the north easterly direction.
In taking these seven steps, the right foot shall always lead and the left foot
be brought forward in line with it. Uncooked grains of rice (about a small
handful) are placed in a line at equal distance at seven places. The bride and
the groom take seven steps together, stepping upon first mound of rice with the
right foot as the priest recites a mantra. Then stepping upon the second mount
of rice with the right foot as the priest recites a mantra. (All seven steps are
done the same way).
May the first step lead to food that is both nourishing and pure.
May the second step lead to strength (at the physical, emotional, intellectual
and spiritual levels).
May the third step lead to prosperity.
May the fourth step lead to all round happiness.
May the fifth step lead to progeny (noble and virtuous children).
May the sixth step lead to long life.
May the seventh step lead to friendship (through harmony, understanding).
The bridegroom says:
Having completed the seven steps, be thou my life long companion. Mayst thou be
my associate and helper in successful performance of the duties that now devolve
upon me as a householder. May we be blessed with many children who may live the
full duration of human life!
After the completion of the seven steps ceremony, the couple (with knots tied to
each other) take their seats. The wife now takes her rightful place on the left
side of her husband as the marriage is now religiously solemnized in its
entirety. Now the couple are husband and wife. The husband garlands the wife and
she in turn garlands her husband.
X. Sprinkling of water (Abhishek).
The priest (or a brother of the newly wedded wife) shall sprinkle water on the
foreheads of the bride and the groom. The priest recites mantras from the Rig
Veda (RV X.9.1/2/3) during the sprinkling of water.
XI. Meditating on the sun.
(Soorya Darshanam dhyaanam va).
(Looking at or mentally visualising the sun, to give them power to lead a
creative, useful and meaningful life).
The bride and the bridegroom together pray:
O God, who art the illuminator of the sun, may we, through thy grace live for a
hundred years, hear for a hundred years, and speak for a hundred years. And may
we never be dependent upon anybody. May we likewise live even beyond a hundred
years!
-Rig Veda, VII. 66. 16)
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XII Touching the Heart
(Hriday sparsh)
Touching the heart of the bride
The Bridegroom says:
May I have hearty co-operation from these in the performance of my duties. May
thou be of one mind with me. May thou be consentient to my speech. May the Lord
of creation unite thee to me!
The Bride:
May I have hearty co-operation from these in the performance of my duties. May
thou be of one mind with me. May thou be consentient to my speech. May the Lord
of creation unite thee to me!
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XII.Meditating upon the Pole Star and the Arundhati Star (Dhruva
dhyaanam darshanam va)
[Note: The Pole Star is stationary and fixed in its position, likewise the
couple is expected to be steadfast and firm in fulfilling their vows and
responsibilities.]
The bride:
Just as the star Arundhati is attached to the star Vasishtha, so may I be ever
firmly attached to my husband! Placing his hand upon the bride’s forehead
The bridegroom:
As the heavens are permanently stable, as the earth is permanently stable, as
these mountains are permanently stable, and as the entire universe is permanent
stable, so may my wife be permanently settled in our family! -Rig Veda X.173.4
(Addressing the bride):
Thou are the Pole star; I see in thee stability and firmness. Mayst thou ever be
steadfast in thy affection for me. The great God has united thee with me. Mayst
thou live with me, blessed with children, for a hundred years!
XIII.Partaking of food (Anna praashanam)
In the last symbolic rite the couple make offerings of food with chantings of
Vedic Havan Mantras (oblations of food in the Sacred fire). Having done that,
the couple feed a morsel of food to each other from the residue of the
offerings. This being the symbolic expression of mutual love and affection.
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Part 3
XIV.Benediction (Aashirvadah)
Placing his hand upon the forehead of the bride
The bridegroom:
Ye men and women present here, behold this virtuous bride possessed of high
attainments, and before ye disperse, give her your blessings!
All the people present shall pronounce the following blessings upon the couple.
1. O Lord, may this couple be prosperous!
2. O Lord, may this couple live in perpetual happiness!
3 O Lord, may this couple be ever infused with love for each other. May this
couple be blessed with children and grand-children and live in the best of homes
for the full period of their lives!
4. May you two live here together. May you never be parted. May you enjoy the
full span of human life in the delightful company of your happy sons and
grandsons!
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.
[Note: The Hindu wedding ceremony may vary in minor details from region to
region and different priests may adopt some variations.]
[Sacraments constitute an important part of Hindu religion. Sacraments in
Hinduism are designed to build a solid foundation for righteous living. They are
known as ‘Sanskaras’.Their purpose is to create and develop a religious and
spiritual outlook in life.
The Hindu religion has instituted sixteen different Sanskaras (sacraments) meant
for different phases of life from conception to marriage to old age and death.
The word sanskara in Sanskrit means ‘to cause indelible impressions on the mind
and to develop every aspect of one’s personality.’ Therefore it is necessary to
understand and appreciate their significance and to derive benefit from their
performance. Of the sixteen sanskaras in Hinduism, the sacrament of marriage or
Vivah Sanskara is the most important. Marriage influences the personality of man
and woman as life partners, enabling them to take their rightful place in
society.]
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Marwari Wedding Ceremony
Marwari wedding ceremony is celebrated with gaiety. Emphasis is laid on
following all the Marwari matrimonial customs & traditions.
In this section, we will provide you information about traditional Marwari
marriage rituals:
Pre Wedding Rituals
Wedding Rituals
Rajput Baraat
Traditional Aarti
Wedding Ceremony
Post Wedding Rituals
Bidai Ceremony
Grihapravesh Custom
Pagelagni Tradition
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Pre Wedding Marwari Rituals
Here is provided information about pre wedding Marwari rituals:
Engagement Ceremony
The engagement ceremony usually takes place at the bridegroom's residence. It is
attended by the bride's father, brother and other close relatives. None of the
ladies including the bride accompany the men folk for the tilak ceremony. In
this ritual, the bride's father applies tika on the groom's forehead. Clothes,
fruits, sweets, sword and other gifts are presented to the bridegroom.
Ganapati Sthapna & Griha Shanti Ceremony
Ganapati sthapana & griha shanti takes place a couple of days before the
wedding. A havan is conducted by the bride/groom's family, which involves the
installation of the idol of Lord Ganesha.
Pithi Dastoor & Mehfils
In Pithi Dastoor ritual, paste of turmeric and sandalwood is applied to the
bride and groom in their respective homes, after which they cannot move out of
the house. The bride wears an orange color poshak. She is then brought under a
silken canopy. It is held by four women belonging to the same clan as the bride,
using swords in the four corners. The bride is then applied the paste.
Separate Mehfils are conducted for gents and ladies, in which people share
joyous moments together. They play dholak and sing traditional pre wedding
songs. In ladies mehfil, females wearing dazzling dresses perform special folk
dances called ghoomar.
Mahira Dastoor Custom
Wedding is the occasion that demands lavish spending. In the ceremony called
Mahira Dastoor, the bride as well as groom's maternal uncles come amidst the
celebrations and give gifts and cash to the people of the house.
Janev & Palla Dastoor
In the Janev ritual, the bridegroom dresses up in saffron clothes. Before
wearing the thread, he is asked to perform the havan. The purpose behind wearing
saffron color clothing is that he is given two options. He can either becomes an
ascetic or else choose to assume the responsibility of a householder. After the
completion of havan, the groom tries to escape from the institution of marriage.
While his maternal uncle tries to persuade him to assume his responsibility.
On the wedding day, or one day before it, some of the groom's relatives bring
the palla dastoor to the bride's home. The palla dastoor encompasses clothes,
jewelry and presents from the bridegroom. The bride wears this at the time of
her wedding ceremony. Traditional poshak is usually red in color. However, it
can also be in the colors of orange, gold yellow or pink. In the jewelry
section, there is rakhri (jewelry for the forehead), ear danglers, timaniyaan
(choker necklace studded with diamonds), chooda (a set of ivory and gold
bangles), gold armband, gold anklets and gold toe-rings and stone-studded
nose-ring.
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Marwari Wedding Rituals
Here is provided information on Marwari wedding rituals:
Rajput Baraat
In the Rajput baraat, there are only male members. The groom usually wears a
gold achkan and churidar or jodhpurs along with an orange turban. Footwear
consists of traditional jootis. Baraatis also wear achkans or sherwanis with
jodhpurs and safas (colorful turbans). The groom's marriage procession looks
royal. There is no street dancing by the baraatis. Everyone including the
bridegroom rides an elephant or a horse. They also carry swords in their hands.
Traditional Aarti
When the marriage procession of the groom arrives at the bride's residence, the
bridegroom is taken inside by the ladies. He is given a warm welcome by his
mother-in-law by performing the traditional aarti.
Wedding Ceremony
The groom is then escorted to the mandap, where the wedding ceremony will take
place. He is usually accompanied by only one married male relative and his
younger brother or a younger male cousin. The bride is asked to cover her face
with a long veil. The groom's baraat is taken care of by the male members of the
bride's family. The wedding ceremony is mainly attended by the female members of
the house.
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Post-Wedding Marwari Rituals
Here is provided information on post wedding Marwari rituals:
Bidai Ceremony
In the Bidai ceremony, the bride, with tearful eyes, bids good-bye to her
family, friends and close relatives. At the time of Bidai, a coconut is kept
under the wheel of the car. It happens before the bride takes off her veil for
her husband. At this moment, usually the bridegroom presents a piece of jewelry
to his wife.
Grihapravesh Custom
When the newly weds reach their house, the bride is welcomed by the groom's
family. This custom is known as Grihapravesh.
Pagelagni Tradition
Pagelagni tradition is followed the next day after Grihapravesh. In this
ceremony, the bride, still in veil, is introduced to the bridegroom's family
members. Everybody comes forward to bless her and present gifts. After that, the
veil is finally taken off.
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Jain Wedding Ceremony
In Jain wedding ceremony, a grand public proclamation is made of the intention
of the prospective bride and groom to live together for their entire life. In
this section, we will provide you information on Jain matrimonial customs &
traditions. We will brief you on the below mentioned traditional Jain marriage
rituals:
Pre Wedding Rituals:
Laghana Lekhan
Lagna Patrika Vachan
Sagai
Mada Mandap
Barati
Aarti
Wedding Rituals:
Phere
Kanyavaran
Havan
Granthi Bandhan
Post Wedding Rituals:
Jainism advocates the peaceful co-existence and interaction of two different
living organisms in mutual beneficence or mutual dependence. Life is regarded as
a gift to be shared together, helping each other to exist and grow. Jains have
this wonderful prayer in their hearts always for forgiveness for all living
beings also seeking and receiving the forgiveness of all beings. Also prayer
craving for the friendship of all beings. Jains regard marriage as more or less
a worldly affair. Marriage and family raising are recommended to all the Jain
Shravakas. Because children born of the wed-lock would follow the Jain dharma
only.
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Pre Wedding Jain Rituals
Here is provided information on pre wedding Jain rituals:
Laghana Lekhan & Lagna Patrika Vachan
In Laghana Lekhan, small puja is held in the prospective bride's house. Close
relatives and friends are invited to attend the puja. It is during this puja
that an auspicious time for marriage also known as lagna or mahurat is
determined. It is usually done by the priest. In the end, the lagna patrika or
letter indicating the wedding time is sent to the prospective groom's house.
The Lagna Patrika Vachan is then read out at the boy's residence. This can be
done either on the day of engagement or some other auspicious time. After the
groom has done Vinayakyantra puja, the priest reads out the letter.
Sagai & Mada Mandap
Sagai usually takes place in the groom's home. The groom wears the traditional
Jain headgear, washes his hands properly and performs the Vinayakyantra. After
the completion of Vinayakyantra puja, the bride's brother puts tilak on the
forehead of the bridegroom. He also presents him a gold chain, a ring, clothes,
coconut, sweets and money. Thereafter, the lagna patrika is given to the
bridegroom. Usually, it is the priest, who reads out the lagna patrika. The
groom then seeks the elders' blessings.
Mada Mandap is the next important pre wedding ceremony after Sagai. It usually
takes place one or two days prior to wedding. It is held at the bride as well as
groom's residence. All the religious rituals are performed by the priest.
Barati & Aarti
In the Barati ritual, the bridegroom's marriage procession is received by the
bride's family. The bride's brother applies tika on the groom's forehead. Also,
he presents coconut, money, sweet and clothes to the groom. The bridegroom also
puts tika on the forehead of the bride's brother and gives him a coconut.
Married ladies in the bride's house perform the traditional aarti. All the
ladies get together and sing the Mangala Geet
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Jain Wedding Rituals
Here is provided information on Jain wedding rituals:
Phere & Kanyavaran
In any Indian marriage, phere is considered to be the most important ritual,
without which the marriage is incomplete. For the conduct of phere, an
auspicious time is selected. The bride and groom are taken to the mandap and
seated there. The bride is made to sit on the right side of the bridegroom.
After taking the seven vows, the couple changes their position.
In the Kanyavaran or kanyapradan ceremony, the bride's parents or the uncle
places a one rupee and twenty-five paise and rice on the bride's right hand.
Then the bride is handed over to the bridegroom. The bride's father makes a
public proclamation in front of the assembled guests. While chanting the
mantras, the priest pours water on the hands of the bridegroom and bride thrice.
Havan & Granthi Bandhan
Havan is held after the completion of pheras. During the performance of havan, a
series of mantras are recited like those of the Peethika, Atha Gathu, Atha
Nistarak, Atha Surendra, Atha Parmarajadi and Atha Paramesthi. Offerings are
also made. In the end, Shanti mantra is chanted nine times.
Havan is followed by the Granthi Bandhan ritual, in which a married woman ties
the groom's shawl with one end of the bride's sari pallu. It is accompanied by
the reciting of mantras. Thereafter, the couple takes four rounds around the
sacred fire. The bride leads in the first round. Thereafter, they exchange their
positions and take other three rounds around the havankund.
The recitation of Mahaveerakshak stoot takes place in the background. Ladies
sing Mangal geet and make merriment. After the phera, the couple takes seven
vows. After taking the vows, the bride is seated on the left side of bridegroom.
The bride is then called vamangi, which symbolizes that she has become the
better half of her husband. It is followed by the exchanging of garlands between
the bride and groom. The havan is finally completed with the performance of
Shantipath and Visarjan.
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Post-Wedding Jain Rituals
Here is provided information on post wedding Jain rituals:
Ashirvada Ceremony
In the Ashirvada ceremony, elders come forward and bless the newly weds for
their married life.
Sva Graha Aagamana
Custom When the newly weds reach their home, the groom's family gives a warm
welcome to the new member of the family. This custom is known as Sva Graha
Aagamana.
Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana Tradition
To express thanksgiving, alms are given in the Jain temple. This is known as
Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana tradition.
Reception
The groom's family hosts a reception party, where the bride is formally
introduced to friends, relatives and others acquaintances.
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