HINDU MARRIAGES AND THE REGIONAL MARRIAGES IN INDIA

Marriage is one of the most important events in any society. Westermarck, in the History of Human Marriage, defines marriage as “a relation of one or more men to one or more women which is recognized by custom or law and involves certain rights an duties both in case of the parties entering the union and in case of children born of it.” Thus, westmarck’s definition of marriage contains not only the biological aspect but also the social aspect of marriage.

The institution of Hindu marriage is different from the institution of marriage in other societies. According to Prabhu, Hindu marriage is, in essence, a ritual and a formality, of course, very important through which an individual has to go, to be able to start his other life in home.

According to K.M. Kapadia, “Hindu marriage is a socially approved union of man and a woman aiming at dharma, procreation, sexual pleasure and observance of certain social obligations.”

Hindu marriage joins two individuals for life, so that they can pursue Dharma(duty), Artha(possessions), Kama(sex) and Moksha(ultimate spiritual release) together. In fact, Hindu marriages is not considered complete until consummation. It also joins two families together.

In the past, the age of marriage was young. Now the average age of marriage is 18 for women and 21 for men in India. Marriage, arranged by parents or guardians is normal norm in India but now a days, Indian culture is trending away from traditional arranged marriage with prospective brides and grooms preferring to choose their partner on their own.

According to Hinduism there are eight types of marriages though all are not have religious sanction: 

• Brahma Marriage: In this concept, A boy is able to get married once he has completed his student life(Brahmachariya). The parents of the boy seek for a girl who is literate of Vedas.

• Rakshasa Marriage:  In this marriage, the bride is forcibly abducted from her home. The groom will forge battles with the bride’s family. The bride is forced to marry him.
• Gandharv Marriage:  When it comes to “love marriage”, it is called Gandharv Marriage.
• Prajapatya Marriage:  In this marriage, father of bride, gives her hands to the hands of bridegroom and that time addressed them “May both of you perform together your duties.”
• Arsha Marriage:  In this marriage, the bride used to be given in exchange for some cows. We can see the example in Mahabharata.
• Daiva Marriage:  This marriage is considered inferior because it is degrading to womanhood. Here, women’s family wait fot a specific time to get her married. If she can’t find a suitable groom, then she would be married off to the groom where her family choose with the help of priests.
• Asuara Marriage:  This is a marriage where the groom may not often feel be compatible with the bride and may even posses some abnormality but either greed or compulsion on the part of the bride;s father coupled with the groom’s desire and wealth may render it. It is against common Indian law.
• Rakshasa Marriage:  In this marriage, the bride is forcibly abducted from her home. The groom will forge battles with the bride’s family. The bride is forced to marry him.
• Paishacha Marriage:  In this marriage, The man seduces a girl who is sleeping, intoxicated, or mentally challenged. It is a sinful act of course.

Hindu marriages are the most lavish and expensive.They extend over a period of four to five days. The Hindu marriage is primarily divided into three segments; Pre-wedding rituals, wedding rituals and  post wedding rituals.

• Pre-wedding rituals: It is comprise of engagement, tilak, haldi, sagai, sangeet and mehandi. Prospective couples exchange rings.
• Wedding rituals: Couples exchange garlands. Girl’s father gives her hands to the groom’s hand. Prists chant mantras at that time. Couples takes the Seven vows called “saptapadi” and take seven rounds around the sacred fire called “mangalpheras”and promise to live together throughout their life. after this, groom puts vermillion in the bride’s hair parting and put  sacred “Mangalsutra” in to bride’s neck.
• Post wedding rituals: it is comprise of viddai and reception. The family of the bride gives her a sobbing farewell and the family of groom welcome the new family member.

India is the land of various people belonging to various regions, casts and communities. naturally they speak in different languages and belong to different cultures. Marriage rituals also differ from region to region. But they all have same expression and faith.

Assamese Wedding:   This marriage ceremony takes palce in Assam State, between Assamese people. It is just like Hindu wedding, also has pre wedding and post wedding rituals.

Gujarati Wedding: People in Gujarat State celebrate  colorful and vibrant marriage rituals. Very simple, full of fun marriage ritual. Pre marrige and post marrige rituals also there.

Punjabi Wedding: Panjabi people celebrate marriage rituals with pomp and show. On the wedding day, the bride receives a white and red colored bangles from her maternal uncle. Couple get bath with the holy water brought from “Gurudwara”, they are taKen to the marriage place, exchange garlands and perform marriage ritual.

Bengali Wedding: Bengali people celebrate their marriage rituals for Three to four days, a long and elaborate way. Couple take seven rounds around fire and see each other eye to eye and exchange garlands and perform other rituals.

Buddhist Wedding: There are no mandatory rules and regulations to be followed in a Buddhist wedding. Couple get married in a Buddhist Temple, got licensed as married couple.

Kashmiri Wedding: Very simple to Hindu weddings celebrated in the valley of Kashmir. When the groom and his family arrives, both the fathers of the couple exchange nutmeg as a symbol of their friendship.

Muslim Wedding: It is called “Nikah”. A great procedure of marriage. Nikah in Islam is read by two priests and after the consent of the couple, the pious Nikah Naama is signed. It significally lays emphasis on the union of two souls.

Christian Wedding: In Christianity, marriages are considered the union between man and woman predestined by God. Priest reads the psalm and couple take the vows. They celebrate marriages with reception, singing  and dancing .

Malyali Wedding: Celebrated in Kerala, doesn’t take long time to complete the program. The father of the bride welcomes the groom by washing his feet and the marriage is completed when the groom ties a yellow thread around the bride’s neck.

Except these marriages, there are others regional marriages also celebrated in India such as Oriya Wedding, Parsi Wedding, Sikh wedding, Sindhi Wedding, Tamil Wedding, Telugu Wedding, Marwari wedding, Maharashtrian Wedding, Kannada Wedding, Jewish Wedding, Jain Wedding, Pahari Wedding and others.