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one end of the bride's sari to the end of the loose cloth that hangs from the groom's right shoulder. This end has betel nut and silver coins tied to it. Another woman then places a varmala (garland symbolising union) around the couple's neck. This is symbolic of their partnership in the performance of duties. This union has been formed in the presence of the five Gods and the light.
Now follows the core of the sacrament of the wedding - the hastamilap (joining the palms of the bride and the groom together, symbolising their union). The bride's father
draws the holy swastika on the couples's palms and then places the bride's right palm on the groom's right palm, keeping Lord Jineshwara as witness. Bride and groom then recite the Navkar mantra thrice in their mind and do the kumbhaka dhyana (meditation) taking deep breaths. The bride's parents pour holy water on the joined palms of the bridal couple reciting Om Arham.
Chanting of the mangalashtak, is the next step. Keeping Lord Jineshwar as witness, everyone prays that the newly wed couple enjoys harmony, love, peace and happiness at every moment in their life. These manglashtaks are sometimes from the old Sanskrit scriptures. Or sometimes a family member writes them especially for the occasion weaving in the names of bride and groom and their family members.
Now comes the holy ceremony of offering unbroken scared rice to Lord Jineshwar or Bhagwan Mahavir. The newly wed couple offers this at the feet of the idol to the chanting of the Navkar mantra.
It is now time for the mangal pheras around the lamp. The bride leads and the groom follows her during the pheras. Each phera ends with both of them offering sacred rice at the feet of the Lord and saying Om Arham. The mantras that are chanted during the pheras are salutations to Lord Arihant and his supremacy in different forms. After the pheras is the saptapadi - the seven vows that bind the
couple for their lifetime. After taking six pheras, the bride changes her place to sit on the groom's left. She is now the daughter-inlaw of the groom's family. Blowing of conches and ringing of bells mark this occasion. The seventh phera happens now, with the groom taking the lead and the bride following. They recite Om punyam, priyantam, priyantam, thrice. The mantras that are chanted after this by the parents mean- noble birth, good house, divinity, sovereignty, the qualities of Arihant and salvation.
The last ritual takes place as the groom places the mangalsutra around bride's neck and applies sindoor to her forehead. Everybody present now thanks the Lord for being present to bless the couple. They also ask for forgive ness for mistakes committed unknowingly.
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