Jain wedding checklist

A puja at the bride's home where the vidhikaar fixes the wedding date and time; the date is then written out to send to the groom's family.

Why it's done. A puja is held at the bride's home and the vidhikaar (priest) fixes the auspicious wedding date and time (muhurat). Writing it down makes the plan formal, and the letter is sent to the groom's family.

• Book the vidhikaar or jyotish

  He reads both kundlis and the almanac to fix the muhurat. Book him for all wedding rituals at the same time.

  4 weeks beforeBride's family₹5k–20k (platform rates)Booking
• Keep both horoscopes (kundli) ready

  Ask the groom's family for theirs well in advance.

  2 weeks beforeBride's familyRitual
• Arrange puja items for the Lagna Lekhan

  Ask the vidhikaar for his list.

  5 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Arrange Jain-friendly snacks for the family

  No onion, garlic or root vegetables. If the puja ends late, serve before sunset.

  5 days beforeBride's familyFood
• Prepare the lagna patrika (date letter)

  The written letter with the muhurat is sent to the groom's family. Check names and dates carefully.

  1 day beforeBride's familyRitual

The letter with the wedding date is read aloud at the groom's home after a small puja.

Why it's done. The letter carrying the wedding muhurat reaches the groom's family and is read aloud after a small puja. It is the groom's side formally receiving and accepting the date in front of the family.

• Fix a time with the bride's family to receive the letter

  Decide who from the bride's side will bring it and who will read it.

  10 days beforeGroom's familyGuests
• Invite close relatives

  Usually a small family gathering.

  10 days beforeGroom's familyGuests
• Arrange puja items

  A small puja; ask the vidhikaar for the list.

  5 days beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Plan Jain-friendly refreshments

  Check sweets too — some contain honey or are not prepared Jain-style.

  5 days beforeGroom's familyFood

The engagement: the bride's family visits the groom's home and puts a tilak on him. Traditionally there is no ring exchange.

Why it's done. In many Jain families the engagement is simple and often has no ring exchange. The bride's family visits the groom's home with sweets and puts a tilak on him to announce and bless the match.

• Agree which family visits and the date

  Traditionally the bride's family visits the groom's home. Agree on it together.

  6 weeks beforeBoth familiesLogistics
• Decide whether you will exchange rings optional

  Traditional Jain sagai has no rings, but many couples now add them. If yes, order 3–6 weeks ahead.

  6 weeks beforeBoth familiesClothes & jewellery
• Choose outfits for the couple

  Coordinate colours between families for photos.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesClothes & jewellery
• Order Jain-compliant sweets

  Ask the sweet shop to confirm no honey or non-Jain ingredients.

  7 days beforeBoth familiesFood
• Prepare the tilak thali

  Kumkum, rice, a coconut and a diya. Keep it a ritual plate only.

  3 days beforeBride's familyRitual

Henna and music for both families, planned around sunset so everyone can eat in time.

Why it's done. Henna and music are shared joys before the wedding. Many Jain families plan meals before sunset and avoid root vegetables, out of the value of ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living beings; how strictly this is kept varies from family to family.

• Book music or a DJ

  Check family preferences on volume and song choice. Book 4–5 months ahead in season.

  4 months beforeBoth families₹15k–40k local DJMusic
• Book a choreographer for family performances optional

  Start rehearsals 4–6 weeks before.

  2 months beforeBoth families₹15k–50k basicMusic
• Plan the evening so dinner is served before sunset

  Guests who keep chauvihar do not eat after sunset. Serve their meal first, or hold the event in the afternoon.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood
• Do a henna patch test

  Rule out allergy before the day.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyBeauty
• Discuss mehendi designs with the artist

  Some families prefer to avoid figures of animals or birds in the design. Agree on motifs in advance.

  2 weeks beforeBride's familyBeauty

Banana plants are placed at the home entrance, and turmeric (pithi or bhatwaan) is applied to the bride.

Why it's done. Banana plants at the entrance mark the festive start of the wedding and are said to symbolise prosperity and growth. Bride and groom are then anointed before a ritual bath; some families use turmeric (pithi), while Marwari Jains traditionally use besan. Families do this differently.

• Choose a yellow outfit you do not mind staining

  Keep towels and a change of clothes ready.

  3 weeks beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Arrange banana plants for the entrance

  Order from a florist or nursery and confirm delivery the day before.

  5 days beforeEach familyDecor
• Buy turmeric and pithi ingredients

  Ask elders which ingredients your family uses for the paste. Buy a little extra.

  3 days beforeEach familyRitual
• Protect floors and seating from stains

  Use old sheets and a low stool for the bride.

  2 days beforeEach familyDecor
• Keep old clothes, towels and a fresh change ready

  Turmeric stains. Plan the bath right after.

  2 days beforeGroom's familyClothes & jewellery

The mandap is built and sanctified at home, and a Navgraha puja with the Navkar mantra is done for a peaceful married life.

Why it's done. The mandap area is sanctified so it becomes sacred ground for the wedding, and a puja is done at home for peace and a happy married life. Families differ on timing: some do this the day before, others on the wedding day.

• Book the vidhikaar for the home puja

  Book 2–3 months ahead in peak season.

  3 months beforeGroom's family₹5k–20k (platform rates)Booking
• Get the samagri list from the vidhikaar

  Each home needs its own kit. Ask two weeks before, not the day before.

  2 weeks beforeEach familyRitual
• Have the mandap built a day before

  Confirm with the decorator that the mandap is ready in time for the vidhikaar's rituals.

  7 days beforeBride's familyDecor
• Buy Navgraha and Navkar mantra puja items

  Tick items against the vidhikaar's list.

  5 days beforeEach familyRitual
• Prepare a separate dakshina envelope

  Keep one labelled envelope per puja.

  1 day beforeEach familyMoney

The groom's procession on horseback; the women of the family tie his headgear and apply a tilak before he sets off.

Why it's done. The groom sets out for the wedding on horseback. Before he leaves, the women of his family adjust his headgear and apply a tilak, sending him off with their blessings.

• Book a horse or decorated car

  Ask for the handler's phone number — late horses delay the muhurat.

  3 months beforeGroom's familyBooking
• Book a band, keeping it gentle if the family prefers

  Many Jain families prefer low noise and no fireworks. Agree volume and route in writing.

  3 months beforeGroom's family₹40k–1L standard bandMusic
• Order the groom's safa and outfit

  Custom sherwanis take 3–4 months. Have the safa tied once before the day.

  3 months beforeGroom's familyClothes & jewellery
• Check police permission for a road procession

  Rules vary by city; ask the venue or local police station.

  2 weeks beforeGroom's familyLegal
• Plan a buffer so the procession reaches on time

  Start 45–60 minutes earlier than you think you need.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyLogistics

The barati welcome, Kanyavaran, Hasta Melap, Granthi Bandhan, the pheras, mangalsutra and Ashirvad, followed by the Vidaai.

Why it's done. In kanyavaran and hasta melap the bride's parents join the couple's hands, a union of two families, and the groom promises to protect and cherish her. A married woman ties the couple's garments (granthi bandhan). The number of pheras varies by sect and region; some take four, others seven, and in some Jain traditions each round ends with rice offered before the Lord. Many couples today see this as both families joining hands rather than giving away.

• Choose the bride's wedding outfit

  Gujarati Jain brides often wear a Panetar or Gharchola; Marwari Jain brides a poshak or lehenga. Custom pieces need 4–6 months.

  6 months beforeBride's familyClothes & jewellery
• Prefer a daytime muhurat and a Jain lunch

  A daytime ceremony makes it easy for chauvihar guests to eat before sunset.

  4 months beforeBride's familyFood
• Confirm the number of pheras with the vidhikaar

  Families and sects differ — some take seven pheras, others four. Default to what your vidhikaar advises.

  4 weeks beforeBride's familyRitual
• Arrange cloth for the Granthi Bandhan knot

  A married woman ties the couple's garments together. Tell her in advance.

  3 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Arrange the havan setup and samagri

  Ask the vidhikaar for his list two weeks before.

  3 days beforeBride's familyRitual
• Prepare the tilak and aarti thali for the barati welcome

  The bride's mother welcomes the groom with a tilak.

  1 day beforeBride's familyRitual
• Keep a token coin and rice for Hasta Melap

  A symbolic coin and rice are placed in the bride's hand when her hand is joined with the groom's.

  1 day beforeBride's familyRitual
• Keep the mangalsutra with one trusted person

  Hand all ritual items to one person who stays near the mandap.

  1 day beforeBride's familyRitual
• Prepare dakshina envelopes for the vidhikaar

  Keep separate labelled envelopes for each priest and assistant.

  1 day beforeBride's familyMoney

The bride is welcomed into her new home with aarti and a pot of rice at the threshold.

Why it's done. The bride is welcomed into her new home with aarti and a pot of rice at the threshold, which she tips over as she enters, a wish for abundance in the home. Rituals differ by region and sect.

• Plan a light Jain meal for the couple

  If they arrive after sunset and keep chauvihar, keep a meal ready earlier or plan for the next morning.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyFood
• Prepare the aarti thali and rice-filled pot

  Keep the pot at the threshold before the couple arrive.

  2 days beforeGroom's familyRitual
• Decorate the entrance with toran and rangoli

  Simple fresh flowers are enough.

  2 days beforeGroom's familyDecor
• Keep water and dry snacks for the couple

  The couple often skip meals on the wedding day.

  1 day beforeGroom's familyLogistics

The couple visit a Jain temple (Jinalay) for darshan and give alms or make a donation as their first act together.

Why it's done. As one of their first acts together, the couple visit a Jain temple, give alms and donations, and seek blessings from the Jina for a happy and prosperous married life. It begins married life with devotion and generosity.

• Choose the temple and check darshan timings

  Temples have fixed timings and dress rules. Avoid leather items.

  2 weeks beforeGroom's familyLogistics
• Decide the donation or alms together

  The couple choose what to give — to the temple, a jivdaya cause or the needy. It is their own choice.

  7 days beforeGroom's familyMoney
• Arrange puja clothes and items for the couple

  Some temples require unstitched puja clothes for puja inside. Ask the temple office.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyClothes & jewellery
• Arrange transport for the family

  Plan cars and timing so elders are not left waiting.

  3 days beforeGroom's familyTravel

A second ceremony the day after the wedding where the couple take seven vows again.

Why it's done. Usually held the day after the wedding, the couple take a second set of seven vows, reaffirming the promises they made at the ceremony.

• Ask the vidhikaar if your family does Sata Phera

  Not every family keeps this custom. If you do, book him for the day after.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Plan outfits for the couple

  Something lighter than the wedding outfit is fine.

  2 weeks beforeBoth familiesClothes & jewellery
• Arrange the samagri

  Get the short list from the vidhikaar.

  3 days beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Prepare a dakshina envelope

  Keep it labelled with the ritual name.

  1 day beforeBoth familiesMoney

• Write the Jain food rules into the caterer contract

  No onion, garlic, potato, carrot, radish or beetroot. Strict families also avoid ginger, brinjal and mushroom. Put the exact list in writing.

  5 months beforeBoth families₹350–2,500 per plate (city-dependent)Food
• Check whether your rituals follow Shwetambar or Digambar practice

  Details differ between sects and families. Ask both families' elders and your vidhikaar early.

  4 months beforeBoth familiesRitual
• Check that gravies and masalas are truly onion- and garlic-free

  A very common problem: general caterers remove visible onion but use ready gravy bases or masalas that contain it. Taste and ask at the menu trial.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood
• Set up a separate, labelled Jain counter with its own utensils

  At mixed events, Jain food should be cooked and served with separate utensils. Label it clearly.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood
• Time every meal so chauvihar guests eat before sunset

  Look up sunset for each event date (often 5–6:30 pm). Serve them first or run an early dinner slot.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood
• Remove honey from every dish and drink

  Check desserts, dressings and mocktails — honey is easy to miss.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood
• Ask relatives about fasting or tithi restrictions

  Some elders avoid green vegetables or certain foods on particular tithis. Ask, so the menu has something for everyone.

  4 weeks beforeBoth familiesGuests
• Arrange boiled or filtered water

  Strict guests drink only boiled water. Keep it labelled at every counter.

  2 weeks beforeBoth familiesFood