A complete guide to Indian marriages

Indian marriages are a grand occasion. It is one of the biggest events in the life of a person in India. It is the mark of a new life in newer surroundings and among new people. An Indian marriage stands out from the marriages held in other parts of the world. The grandeur and the huge number of customs involved in the celebration of the Marriage is mind blowing. The beauty of the customs is such that even many individuals from various parts of the world are coming to India to make their marriage in the Indian style.

Marriages in India are mostly arranged marriages. The number of love marriages is however increasing with the passage of time. Still arranged marriages are the trend of the day. The parents of either the boy or the girl select the life partner for their child. The intuition and the decision of the parents are taken to be final in these cases as parents think about the best for their children. They always opt for those decisions which will benefit their child the most. Parents in India have been playing the role of matchmakers for a very long time. They have almost perfected the art of selecting the ideal life partners for their sons or daughters.

Earlier in India girls would be married off at an early age. It is only after strict laws have been made that this practice has stopped. Indian people in the villages have now become aware of the various problems that their child can face on marrying early. Therefore they have reverted from this practice. However Muslims in India can marry up to four times. Apart from the Muslims, polygamy is prohibited for people of other religions. Practicing it is punishable by law.

Indian marriages have multiple ceremonies which start with the selection of the bride or bridegrooms. Next the “muhurta” or the auspicious occasion selected for the wedding to take place. A priest is often consulted for the selection of the date of the marriage. The wedding ceremony is usually conducted in temples but with the changing tastes of individuals they are now conducted even in halls, hotels or parks. Pomp and riot of colors usually accompany Indian weddings. “Kanyadana” is one ritual which is done by the father of the bride. He gives his daughter’s hands in the hands of the bridegroom with the belief that he will take care of his daughter in future. Another important ritual is “Saptapadi”. The bride and the bridegroom walk seven times around the fire and this sanctifies their marriage. Since they walk seven times around the fire, hence the name of “saptapadi” is given to this ritual.

Good food and music is part of Indian weddings. The families of both the bride and bridegroom select a menu which will appeal to the taste buds of the guests attending the wedding. Dishes for vegetarians and non-vegetarians are kept separately to avoid any confusion.

Therefore Indianmarriages are a lavish affair and are distinctly different from marriages around the world.