Devgon invitation card
An invitation for Devgon, the ceremony invoking the gods' blessings before a wedding or Mekhal.
Devgon: invoking the blessings of the gods
Devgon (also written Divagon or Devgoan) means 'the arrival of the gods'. It is the ceremony, held before a wedding or a Mekhal, in which the family invokes the gods' blessings for what is to come. For a wedding it is performed separately at the bride's and the groom's homes, and marks their transition into married, household life.
The ritual centres on a havan and the kani-shran, a ritual bath. For a wedding, a cloth is held over the bride or groom and a mixture of water, milk and curd is poured through it. The bride's Devgon is a little more elaborate: it is traditionally when she first wears the dejihor, the ear ornament worn by married Kashmiri Pandit women.
When Devgon happens
- Before a wedding: usually a day or two before the Lagan, after the Maenziraat (henna night) in many families.
- Before a Mekhal: a day or two before the sacred thread ceremony, with the puja continuing on the main day.
- The exact day and hour are set by the family priest.
What to write on a Devgon card
- An invocation, the word 'Devgon', and whose ceremony it is.
- For a wedding, a line such as 'on the eve of his wedding with Sau. Meenakshi Raina'.
- Date, time and venue. Mention a lunch or dinner if guests are invited to eat.
- The hosts' names and an RSVP contact.
How to make your Devgon card
- 1
Start from the example
The card opens with Devgon wording ready.
- 2
Add your details
Edit the name, the date, time and venue, and the hosts.
- 3
Choose a design
Arch and Heritage suit a Devgon well.
- 4
Share it
Download an image for WhatsApp or a PDF to print.
Frequently asked questions
What is Devgon?
Devgon (Divagon, 'the arrival of the gods') is the Kashmiri Pandit ceremony invoking divine blessings before a wedding or Mekhal. It includes a havan and a ritual bath (kani-shran).
Is Devgon done at both the bride's and groom's homes?
Yes. For a wedding, Devgon is performed separately at both homes. The bride's is slightly more elaborate, and is when she first wears the dejihor.
What is dejihor?
The dejihor is the ear ornament a married Kashmiri Pandit woman wears in both ears. A bride first wears it during her Devgon.
Is Devgon before or after Maenziraat?
In many families the Maenziraat (henna night) comes first, with Devgon before the Lagan; the exact order and days are set by the family and priest.
Is my information uploaded or stored anywhere?
No. Everything you type is saved only in your own browser on your device, and the PDF and image are created on your device too. There are no accounts, and nothing is sent to our servers.