Marwari Digambar Jain rituals and customs

Jain customs form an essential part of Jainism. These rituals take place before the birth of the child till the death and even after the death of the person. These customs help in inculcating vales in the individual.  There are so many customs and rituals in Jain dharma.

Rituals before the Birth

The rituals before birth are called pre-birth rituals and those performed after birth of the child are called post-birth rituals. In the pre-birth rituals the values of mother and hereditary values are given predominance. The main aim of these rituals is to improve the life of the child before and after his birth.

Athmasa poojan:-

When seven and half month of conception is complete, the Athmaasa ceremony (Godh bharai) is performed to ensure the safety of the child in the moment. Relatives assemble at the father’s residence and pray to the family deity for the safe delivery. For this occasion mother’s   parents bring some gifts as shagun. These gifts are:

A green zari saree, a ghat (golden embroidered red bandhani saree) and some jewellery (if desired) to wear.

Eatables like sweets, namkeen, pickles, fruits and dry fruits for the mother.

In the morning mother wears the green zari saree after bath.

When the function starts the mother wears the ghat.  The father and mother and the ladies of the family along with music band go to the Jain temple, on the way the ladies sing a traditional song.  In temple they do the Jinvar Darshan and pray for the well being of the baby in mother womb.

Then for coming out step is followed.  First the pregnant mother would step out first and father will put coconut in her Aanchal. This whole process is called godh bharai in Jain custom.

Rituals After Birth

On birth:-

On the birth of a child the umbilical cord is cut, the new born is bathed and given to suck Ghutki (the first food after the birth) which is jiggery dipped in pure ghee. This is considered auspicious as well as helpful to the child in learning to suck. Normally elder relatives i.e. grandmother or an elder aunt gives the Ghutki in order that the child may imbibe fine qualities of the person.

On the birth of a child ten days of cleansing or Sutak are observed after delivery. During this period no rituals are performed. But in the temple the priest recites mantras and receives offerings on behalf of the new-born.  During this ritual it is prohibited for every member of the family to touch the things in the temple.

Nahavan:-

It is performed after any of these days i.e.  9^th, 11^th, 13^th and 29^th days of baby’s birth; the baby’s namkaran is also performed. The baby’s maternal family (nanihal) is also present in this ceremony. This ceremony is performed in the morning. The baby’s maternal uncle (mama) gives a yellow zari saree to the mother and clothes, toys and silver utensils for the baby. The baby’s father’s sister (bhua) also brings clothes and toys for the baby. A small pooja for the baby and mother is performed by a priest. It is believed that the room in which mother and baby stay, should not be left vacant while pooja so any of small boy stays in the room, during pooja.

 For the baby’s namkaran his or her janm patrika is made according to the baby’s birth time and place. According to the janm patrika the baby’s name’s first letter is decided and according to this the baby’s name s decided. After the pooja is completed, any relative of baby’s mother whether her brother-in-law or any small child holds the pallu of the mother then they all go in the room and sit on the bed. Then she gives shagun to the boy who was already there in the room and the one who came with her. 

After completion of pooja and all programmes, mehandi is applied on her nails. She wears green and red colour lakh bangles, and her sister in law ties rakhi on her bangles.

From birth of child to 40 - 45 days period is called delivery period, during this period complete rest is given to her, so she could take care of her child and herself. 

A special diet is given to her which is made of coconut, ghee, almond, supari, gaund.  She is given a diet with heavy fibre. 

Rituals after 40 to 45 days...

JALWA: - After this rituals baby is considered to be JAIN

It is very important function in Jain families. Because after birth of a child, mother is not allowed to do any kind of household work, unless the completion of this tradition. Only after this tradition, she is can get back to her daily routine work.

All the female member of family go to temple along with mother and father and baby. After reaching to temple and before entering swastiks are made at both side of gate, then they enter to the temple.  

Everybody pray to God. In front of God idol a white cloth is laid on floor , and swastika is made with turmeric , then baby is laid down on that cloth , and senior female member of family enchants NAMOKAR MANTRA in baby’s ear . And sandalwood tika is done on baby’s forehead.. Now baby has become JAIN. After coming out from temple all ladies dance and enjoy.

After reaching home any of ladies goes in and takes a black mustard and rock salt in her hand and comes out. Mother and baby are halt at outside of home, and then baby is put on mother’s lap. Then she rotates her hand over the baby and mother clockwise and anticlockwise parallelry thrice, from head to toe.