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| Jain Marriage Traditions | August 18, 2007, 3:25 pm | visits: 113 | wordcount: 552
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By Rafi Michael
Jain Marriage rituals are somewhat different from other Hindu religions. "Jain Samaj" as it is popularly called contains various books on the ‘jain vivah vidhi' which are written by the popular writers. Jain community practices various traditions which are exclusively for the Jain people.
The worldly practices are acceptable to the Janis. But they should not cause loss to samyakatva or corruption of the vratas. The samanaya dharma applies to Janis and non Janis alike. Jainism does not automatically reject worldly practices. Jainism advocates peaceful existence. It recognizes the dependence of two living organisms on one another.
For Janis, marriage is largely a worldly event. It is recommended to all Jain Shravakas unless they have taken a ‘vrata' of Brahmacharrya. The children born of marriage will follow the dharma. The ritual of marriage is largely governed by the traditional practices that may vary for different Jain communities.
Marriage is a public declaration of the community support for the couple. Some of the rituals are common to all Jain and Hindu marriages.
The Jain community generally marries in their own communities so that children born out of this marriage also become Jain.
The entire community condemned the practice of negotiating a dowry before marriage.
Preferably Jain marriage should be conducted by a Jain Pundit. Brahmins attached to the Jain community conduct marriages at some places. In any case, it should be conducted by some respectable person. The person should have proper knowledge of rites and protocols.
Marriage is something of far more significance than a family vacation or a birthday or a graduation. It is once in a lifetime occasion.
About the expenses or duration of marriage, however, there should be no waste of money or time. A priest is responsible for fixing a proper date and time for the wedding. A pooja is performed at the girl's house where relatives and friends are invited. In this ceremony heavenly goddesses are invoked by sacred prayers and called upon to take abode in the bride's house. It is done to ensure fertility and happiness of the new couple.
After this, the Patrika bearing the time or Muhurat is sent to the boy's house. It is usually accompanied with sweets.
Laghana Patrika is read at the groom's house by the priest. The groom wears the traditional Jain headgear and performs the Vinayakyantra pooja. A tilak is applied on the groom's forehead by the bride's brother.
It is generally followed by the engagement or "Sagai". The ceremony is held at the groom's house by the priest.
Jain marriages are performed under a mandap. Many days before the marriage, the structure is built and a ‘vedi' which is altar of the sacred fire is built.
Pheras are taken after this. An auspicious moment is decided for the pheras. Bride and groom are taken to the mandap for conducting pheras and seated. Girl is seated on the right side of the groom. Generally, kanyapradhan ceremony is performed at the pheras. One rupee and twenty paisa are kept with rice on the right hand of the bride. Then father of the bride publicly hands the girl to the groom.
Seven vows are taken by the couple together. Havan is performed after this. The holy water is poured on the hands of the boy and girl together.
The priest enchants the mantras at this occasion to bind the boy and girl in a sacred relationship.
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