Jains in India and Abroad

Author(s): Prakash C Jain
Publisher: International Summer School for Jain Studies

Page 29

he is fed khir (made of milk, sugar and rice) by the eldest member of the family.
The mundan ceremony of a male child is observed in the 3rd, 5th or 7th year. This is generally done at a pilgrimage place, at a local temple, or in a specified temple for which a vow was taken. It is optional in case of a girl child. The Hajjam (barber) cuts the hair for which he is paid in cash and/or kind. The child is given a bath and taken to the deity. A swastika mark is made on his skull. An offering of some cash is given to the deity.
The marriage ceremony is preceded by sagai. The bridge's parents and some elder members of the girl's family go to the bridegroom's house and place fruits in the lap of bridegroom. The bridegroom's party goes to the bride's house for godbharai. Appropriate gifts including clothes, cosmetics and fruits, are given to the bride.
At the auspicious time, the marriage rite is performed by a Brahmin or a Jain priest, amidst the chanting of hymns. Saptadigaman or Saptapadi (walking seven times around the sacred fire) is an essential ritual. The ritual of Kanyadan (giving away of the bride) is performed by the father, brother, or the guardians of the bride. The wedding rituals usually come to a close after sindurdan (application of vermilion by the bridegroom on the forehead of the bride). On the following day, the bride goes to her husband's house.
After death, the body is cremated on a fixed burial place, on the bank of a river, lake or pond. The last rites are generally performed by the eldest son. The person who lights the pyre is called the karta (chief mourner). He has to observe several restrictions for a period of thirteen days. On the day after the cremation, head is shaved by the male members of the family and other relatives who thereafter go to collect the ashes of the diseased and disperse/submerge them in the nearby water body. This is followed by the Pagdi ceremony in which a headgear is tied on the head of the karta declaring him the head of the family.
Food, Festivals and Pilgrimage Jains generally are strict vegetarians. Their diet varies according to the regional-lingustic area they live in. The staple food consists of
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