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ain marriages do not have traditional Brahmins performing the marriages. It is a mar riage performed in the presence of God. According to Jain experts, the Jain vidhi has
its own origin in the philosophy of Jainism, where all living organisms are respected and granted their own freedom of expression. There fore, the ritual of marriage too follows the philosophy of Jainism and adheres to the rules set by Bhagwan Mahavir.
Brahmins do not perform the wedding. Close relations of the bride and the groom step in for
the mantrochhar. Earlier the parents performed the rites and also said the mantras. But these days, they just perform the rites and other relatives and friends of the family recite the mantras.
The Jain vidhi is very meticulous. The scriptures that accompany the wedding invitation have a detailed description of every ritual. The marriage mandap itself has to be
set to exact specifications A Jain wedding is solemnised in the presence of
in order to invoke positive God, but without a priest officiating!
energies and keep away
the negative ones. The TEXT SHRUTI PANDIT
scriptures define that the
bride and bridegroom should sit facing the east and the parents should face either the east or north while performing the rites. The person giving instructions and reciting the mantras should occupy a position from where everyone can hear and understand him clearly.
The scriptures also have a detailed list of what is required for the vidhi. The most important is an idol of Bhagwan Mahavir (it has to be from a temple). Temple priests allow a family to borrow the idol from the temple for the duration of the vidhi.
Also essential are the scriptures or any religious book that contains samayik, panch
Weddings on earth, blessed in heaven
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