Jain vivah (marriage) is mainly a social samskar for shravaks–shravikas, but it should be done in a way that supports Jain dharma: ahimsa, satya, aparigraha, and simple living.

Below is a very simple Jain‑oriented way to proceed.

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1. Basic mindset before starting

1. Keep marriage:

- Simple, non‑showy (aparigraha – avoid waste, show‑off, heavy non‑necessary expenses). - Fully vegetarian, without alcohol, eggs, smoking, or gambling. - Free from superstition and harmful rites (no bali, no astrology‑based “remedies” like kumbh vivah, etc.).

1. Both families should agree on:

- Pure vegetarian home (ideally also without onion–garlic/root vegetables as per their tradition). - No intoxication. - Respect for Jain practices: Navkar mantra, Paryushan/Dashlakshan, temple/upashray visits, pratikraman as possible. - Simple and peaceful lifestyle.

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2. Steps to proceed for a Jain Vivah

(A) Before engagement

1. Check basic compatibility

- Values: ahimsa, simplicity, respect for elders, honesty. - Practical things: education, work, location, lifestyle expectations. - Family’s openness to Jain dharma if one side is less practicing or non‑Jain.

1. Kul–jati and family background

- Traditionally, many Jains consider jati (Oswal, Porwal, Agarwal, etc.) and kul/gotra for matching. - This is social custom, not a strict religious rule; most important is shared dharma and good character.

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(B) Engagement / Sagai

Usually done at home, hall or derasar premises (not inside garbh‑griha):

1. Begin with Navkar Mantra

- All sit quietly; 1–3 times Navkar.

1. Short Jain prayer

- E.g. Logassa or Uvasaggaharam Stotra or simply Navkar with prasthavana.

1. Exchange of vows/blessings

- Elders give ashirvad: - To remain faithful (brahmacharya in marriage). - To protect and support each other’s dharma. - To avoid himsa, lies, and addictions.

1. Exchange of rings / token

- This is optional and purely social.

Keep music, dance etc. decent and within limits; avoid late‑night disturbance and intoxication.

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(C) Main Vivah ceremony – simple Jain way

Different families and sects have variations, but a very dharmic basic structure:

1. Sthapana / Pratima

- A small idol or picture of a Tirthankar (often Mahavir Bhagwan or Parshvanath) or Siddhachakra is placed at a clean, high spot. - Short puja or at least deepak and Navkar.

1. Mangalacharan

- Recitation of: - Navkar Mantra - Optional: “Uvasaggaharam”, “Bhaktamar” gathas, or other Jain mangalacharan.

1. Kanyadaan / Vivah sankalp in Jain spirit

- Parents of bride do ashirvad, but Jain dharma does not support idea of “owning” the daughter. - Understand it as: blessing and entrusting her well‑being, not a literal “daan of a person”.

1. Vachan / Vows by bride and groom

You can keep it very simple, like:

- We will live with: - Ahimsa: no killing, no non‑veg, no eggs, no alcohol, no addictions. - Satya: truthfulness and honesty. - Aparigraha: avoid unnecessary luxury, show‑off and debt. - Mutual respect and fidelity. - Support for each other’s spiritual progress (temple, pratikraman, swadhyaya, etc.)

These are in line with Jain shravak‑shravika anuvratas.

1. Garland / mala / var‑mala

- Exchanging garlands is allowed as a social symbol.

1. Ashirvad by elders

- Elders recite Navkar and bless: “dharma‑parayan, ahimsak, prem‑purna grahasth‑jivan.”

1. No compulsory agni or non‑Jain mantras

- Traditional Jain vivah does not require Vedic fire ceremony. - If families add it culturally, care must be taken that: - No himsa (no ghee offerings that imply bali, no superstitious vows). - Main focus stays on Jain dharma.

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(D) After Vivah – Grih‑pravesh in Jain way

1. Enter new house with:

- Deepak or small aarti before Tirthankar image. - Together recite Navkar, do small prarthana.

1. Decide basic house rules:

- Only vegetarian food. - Avoid waste and show‑off. - Everyday some minutes for prayer / reflection. - Try to keep Paryushan/Dashlakshan, Aatham/Chaudas upvas or at least some ekasanas as per capacity.

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3. Digambar & Shwetambar notes

• Both traditions:

- Emphasize simplicity, ahimsa, aparigraha. - Do not involve monks/nuns directly in marriage rituals (they remain detached from social affairs; at most, they give blessings separately, not perform the wedding).

• Differences are mainly:

- Type of stotras used, language of vows, regional customs (halardu, choora, etc.). - All such additions are cultural, not scripturally mandatory.

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4. Things a Jain Vivah should avoid

• Animal sacrifice or any form of himsa (including fireworks causing mass insect‑killing, large food wastage).
• Alcohol, non‑veg, eggs, smoking, intoxication.
• Excessive expenditure just to show status.
• Superstitious or astrology‑based marriages like kumbh vivah, tree vivah, etc. – these are not Jain practices.
• Forcing the bride or groom against clear dharmic or ethical concerns.

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If you share a bit more about your situation (both Jains or inter‑faith, Digambar/Shwetambar, country), you can adapt the above framework, but the core always remains: simple ceremony + Navkar + dharmic vows + ahimsa‑based celebration.