Shadiexpress.com

HISTORY OF INDIAN WEDDING

Marriage (or wed lock)is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but is usually an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged. Such a union, often formalized via a wedding ceremony, may also be called matrimony. Many cultures limit marriage to two persons of the opposite sex, but some allow forms of polygamous marriage. In some conservative cultures, marriage is recommended or compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity.

People marry for many reasons, including one or more of the following: legal, social, libidinal, emotional, economic, spiritual, and religious. These might include arranged marriages, family obligations, the legal establishment of a nuclear family unit, the legal protection of children and public declaration of commitment. The act of marriage usually creates normative or legal obligations between the individuals involved. Some cultures allow the dissolution of marriage through divorce or annulment.

Marriage is thought to be the bringing of two people who are said to be compatible. Hindu wedding ceremonies are traditionally conducted at least partially in Sanskrit, the language of most holy Hindu ceremonies. The local language of the people involved is also used since most Hindus do not understand Sanskrit. They have many rituals that have evolved since traditional times and differ in many ways from the modern western wedding ceremony and also among the different regions, families, and castes. The Hindus attach a lot of importance to marriages, and the ceremonies are very colourful and extend for several days.

History of Indian wedding says that early societies for social as well as political reasons had to have secure means for the perpetuation of the species and an institution to handle the granting of property rights and marriage was the institution for fulfilling that need.

In ancient times, the marriages often took place at the time when bride and groom were in their adolescence age. The boy’s parents searched for a suitable girl with the help of middlemen and approached the girl’s parents with proposition. The middlemen or negotiator suggested suitable date and hour of marriage according to the birth charts of the couple. In that era, generally marriages took place at the hometown of the girl and bride’s family acts as a host for the groom’s family.

Certain references to the polygamy and polyandry are visible in Hindu marriages because of various political as well as social reasons. At that time, falling in love before marriage was more than a crime; still, we can find the traces of affectionate relationships between princes and princesses.

The tradition of ‘Swayamvars’ arranged by the kings for their daughters came into existence in the middle ages. During that era, ‘swayamvars’ were considered a modern way of choosing grooms on the basis of their abilities and also provided brides a chance to make their own choice.

The right of selecting bride and groom for both men and women has gone through a period of transition due to social changes, wars, diversity in cultures etc. Later on marriages turned into materialistic deals with the emergence of dowry system. The dignity of women was lost and she became just another commodity to be exchanged in lieu of social and moral burden on her family. References to the marriages in ancient texts clearly suggest that the Aryans were monogamous.

You can also find traces of polygamy and polyandry in the Mahabharata, the Hindu epic.  Marriage was compulsory for all girls in medieval India; however, the girls opted for asceticism is exception. Polygamy was popular among the ‘Kshatriyas’.

Child marriage was not prevalent in ancient India, but became a common phenomenon in the medieval age because of political anarchy at that time. The prevailing modernization and globalization has changed the status of women in the society, which has brought the revolution against the mal practices with women in the name of marriage.

It was a common belief that the women has to stay with grooms family after marriage, although, some couples prefer to live alone.  Groom was supposed to look after the needs of the bride for the rest of the life.

The selection of the couple was generally based on Shastric ideas, according to which, the bride’s parents not only searched for good deeds in the boy but also considered his family, education, social behavior, etc. The custom of Indian marriage has gone through tremendous change, but the essence of this tradition is still the same. This sacred institution is made for binding the two souls together for the life time.

Times have changed recently and marriages are performed keeping the dignity intact. Now a day whether it is a boy or a girl has their own opinion to choose life partners. Polygamy is not permitted today. Once a couple is married they have to live together.