In Jainism, marriage (vivah) is a social and religious samskar for householders, done with simplicity, ahimsa and blessings of Tirthankars. Rituals vary by region and by Śvetāmbara / Digambar communities, but the core ideas are similar.

Below is a simple, practical outline of common Jain marriage rituals (especially among Śvetāmbara Gujarati/Rajasthani and many North‑Indian Jains). Local customs may add/remove steps.

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1. Before the marriage day

a) Engagement / Sagai

• Exchange of rings / coconuts / simple gifts between families.
• Both sides recite Navkar Mantra and take blessings of elders.
• Focus is on agreeing to live according to Jain values: ahimsa, satya, vegetarian life, aparigraha, fidelity, etc. ( jainknowledge.com)

b) Laghurās / Mandap Muhurat (Setting auspicious time & place)

• An auspicious time is often chosen (sometimes astrologically by culture, but this is not required by Jain dharma itself; it’s a social custom). ( jainknowledge.com)
• A small puja of Tirthankar idol / Siddhachakra is done at home or derasar to start wedding preparations with Navkar Mantra.

c) Halardu (Wedding songs)

• Women of the family gather and sing Halardu (traditional Jain wedding songs), praising Tirthankars, giving blessings to bride / groom and expressing joy. ( jainknowledge.com)
• This is cultural, but filled with Jain values and stories (e.g., Neminath–Rājul story is often remembered as an example of ahimsa & detachment). ( jainknowledge.com)

d) Mehndi, Choora, etc. (Cultural add‑ons)

• Mehndi, choora (bangle) ceremony, sangeet, etc., are cultural, not scriptural Jain rites.
• Jains are advised to keep them simple, non‑violent, no intoxication, no late‑night loudness and with full modesty. ( jainknowledge.com)

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2. Main Jain marriage rituals (Vivah Sanskar)

The essence:

• Remember Tirthankars,
• Recite Navkar Mantra,
• Take vows of mutual fidelity and support in dharma,
• Take blessings of elders and sadhus (in principle – monks don’t perform weddings).

A typical sequence:

a) Mangalacharan & Sthapana

• Ceremony begins with Navkar Mantra and other Jain stavans. ( jainknowledge.com)
• Sthapana: Idol or picture of a Tirthankar (often Mahavir Swami) or Siddhachakra is placed on a clean altar.
• A short puja (offering of rice, flowers, akshat) may be done – strictly without violence, no animal products.

b) Arrival of Groom – Swagat

• Groom arrives with family, greeted by bride’s family with tilak, aarti (Jain families often do very simple aarti, focusing on Tirthankar, not on humans).
• Elders exchange Navkar, Jai Jinendra and bless with rice / akshat.

c) Kanyādān / Dharma‑based giving away (more accurately, “sambandh‑daan”)

• Unlike some other traditions which stress “ownership” of daughter, Jain view is more balanced & ethical:

- Parents symbolically “entrust” the daughter to the groom’s family, with request to live together in dharma, equality and ahimsa.

• Vows are spoken (by priest / elder) emphasising:

- Pure vegetarian life, no alcohol, no violence. - Mutual respect, fidelity, truth, and simplicity. - Supporting each other in pratikraman, fasting, derasar visits, Paryushan / Das‑lakshan.

d) Vows around the Mandap / Agni?

• Many Jains do not insist on Vedic fire (agni) rituals; instead, they:

- Take rounds (pheras / pradakshina) around Tirthankar idol / Siddhachakra or around a small Jain yantra. - With each round, specific vows are recited: - Live with ahimsa in food, work, speech. - Be truthful and avoid cheating. - Be content, avoid excessive attachment and show‑off (aparigraha). - Be loyal to each other and control passions (brahmacharya within marriage).

• In some families, a small fire is kept only as light, not with full Vedic mantras. This is cultural mixing, not a Jain requirement.

e) Mangal‑pheras & Mantra

• As they walk, elders or officiant recite:

- Navkar Mantra repeatedly. - Short Jain shlokas / stavans for grihasth dharma and well‑being.

• There is no fixed universal Jain “marriage mantra” prescribed in Agamas; Navkar Mantra is considered the best and most auspicious for this. ( jainknowledge.com)

f) Sindoor / Mangalsutra?

• Use of sindoor, mangalsutra, etc., is cultural (Hindu influence), not scriptural Jain.
• Some Jain communities:

- Use only a simple ring exchange or - Tie a symbolic necklace with full modesty, keeping focus on vows, not on ornamentation.

• Excess jewellery / show is discouraged due to aparigraha (limiting possessions).

g) Ashirvad (Blessings)

• After vows and rounds, couple sit, and:

- Elders give ashirvad with rice/akshat and say “Jai Jinendra”, reciting Navkar for the couple. - Sometimes a short pravachan (talk) by a scholar / shravak on how to live an ideal Jain married life.

• Monks / nuns do not perform marriages but if they are nearby, people may take darshan and blessings before or after, keeping full maryada (no touching, etc.). ( jainknowledge.com)

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3. After the wedding

a) Griha Pravesh (Entering new home)

• Bride enters groom’s home; before any other ceremony, many Jains:

- Do Navkar Mantra and small Jinalay darshan if there is a home shrine. - Offer rice / akshat before Tirthankar photo or idol, bow, and then begin household life.

• Again, aim is simplicity, non‑waste, no superstition.

b) Life as Jain Grihasth (Householder)

• Real Jain “marriage ritual” is daily conduct:

- Pure veg food (often without root veg), no eggs, no alcohol. - Daily or regular Navkar, Samayik / Pratikraman when possible. - Observing Paryushan / Das‑lakshan, fasts, and supporting Jain causes.

• Jainism allows marriage with non‑Jain or other castes from a dharma point of view, but strongly stresses that both should agree to ahimsa and Jain lifestyle. ( jainknowledge.com)

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Digambar & Śvetāmbara – any big difference?

• Both:

- See marriage as a worldly samskar for householders, not a spiritual necessity. - Emphasise simplicity, ahimsa, aparigraha; monks/nuns remain separate from these social events.

• Differences are mostly:

- Style of puja, local language songs, dress, and order of small rites. - Specific mantras / stavans recited may differ by sect and region.

• Core spiritual meaning is the same:

Two souls agreeing to walk together in dharma, reducing karmas, and supporting each other’s spiritual progress.

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If you want, you can see simple explanations of Jain views on marriage and related doubts on JainKnowledge:

• Intercaste / non‑Jain marriage,
• Mantras used in marriage,
• Cultural vs. scriptural practices.

You can read more here and here .