Introduction

Weddings in India encompass a variety of customs, traditions, and rituals unique to each community and religion. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian weddings each follow distinct practices, yet all emphasize family bonds and cultural values. Hindu weddings often include elaborate rituals like the saat phere, symbolizing commitment, while Muslim ceremonies feature the nikaah, an agreement between families. Sikh weddings have the Anand Karaj, emphasizing unity, and Christian weddings follow church traditions. These ceremonies reflect India’s diverse heritage, embodying both historical and cultural significance. Weddings in India, therefore, are important social events, symbolizing unity, tradition, and shared cultural identity.

Concept of Marriage

Marriage has been considered as an inevitable eventuality in Garuda Purana. It is said that the bride and the groom must not be blood relatives up to ninth generation on father`s side.

Wedding custom in Ancient India

Wedding custom in ancient India had a different scenario all together. In Hindu marriages, there are certain references of polygamy and polyandry for political as well as social reasons.

Wedding in Vedic Period

Wedding in the Vedic period were the earliest form of marriages in India. In Vedic civilization the marriages have their written records in the Vedic texts.

Wedding Custom in Medieval India

Wedding in Medieval India was highly depended on the caste systems and sect divisions. Polygamy was permitted to all who could afford, and it was especially popular among Kshatriyas for political reasons.

Wedding in Indian Society

Wedding in the Indian society has varied rituals, essence and jollity. Indian marriages display a wide mixture of customs supporting her ethnic and linguistic diversity.

History of Indian Wedding

History of Indian Wedding says that early societies for social and political reasons had to have secure means for the perpetuation of the species and an institution for granting of property rights.

Classification of Marriages

Marriage is one of the most ancient social institutions. Indian society considers a marriage as a religious sacrament. Marriage in India therefore can be classified into 6 categories.

Forms of Marriage

Forms of Marriage have been described by the Fire God in detail. Rules and regulations involved in different kinds of marriage are also included in the description.

Indian Marriage Customs

Indian marriage customs are really diversified. In India, the marriage customs differ as per the beliefs of different religions and also from one region to another.

Oriya Wedding

Oriya marriage is one of the integral parts of the Oriya culture. The wedding ceremony and rituals are similar to Hindu marriage ceremony but are different in many aspects.

Tamil Wedding

Tamil wedding is not an elaborate affair. The wedding rituals strictly follow the customs and tradition set by the Tamilians. The date for the wedding is fixed as per Hindu calendar.

Bengali Wedding

Bengali Weddings, like most other Indian weddings are a blend of traditional customs and rituals. These weddings are full of colour and vivacity.

Sindhi Wedding

Hindu Sindhis in India are a mixed blend of the traditional Hindus and little bit of Sufism. They do not follow staunch Hindu rites in a hard and fast way.

Punjabi Wedding

Punjabi Wedding Ceremony is a very lively yet a simple function and it is organised with lot of flamboyance. The wedding ceremony consists of many rituals.

Parsi Wedding

A Parsi wedding is full of gaiety and laughter and it mostly take place in the evening, a little after sunset. The pre wedding rituals comprises the Madhavsaro, celebrated four days.

Marwari Wedding

Marwari Wedding is a traditional and elaborate affair. Pre and post wedding ceremonies stretch for days where tradition and customs take precedence over everything else.

Malayalee Wedding

A Malayalee wedding is an event in simplicity that doesn`t involve much religious compulsions. The weddings are performed in a northwestern room or a corner of the venue.

Maharashtrian Wedding

Maharashtrian Weddings are elaborate and charming affairs. The people of Maharashtra believe in the equal bondage of love and dedication between both the husband and wife.

Kashmiri Wedding

Kashmiri wedding follows numerous cultural traditions which are an integral part of these ceremonies. Kashmiri Pundits are tradition preservers who maintain the legacy.

Gujrati Wedding

Gujrati weddings are full of symbolic rituals. These rituals lay down the terms of the marriage and give instructions to help the couple lead a good life.

Rajasthani Wedding

Rajasthani wedding features exclusive rituals which render it uniqueness among other Indian weddings. This wedding includes active participation of family and friends

Telugu Wedding

Telugu Wedding is a sophisticated affair, made up of a variety of rituals and ceremonies that continue for several days. Telugu people have their highest regard for the association of marriage.

Manipuri Wedding

Manipuri Wedding is a grand spectacular event. Though they marry within their community and caste they are open to inter-caste marriages. All the tribes follow similar way of matchmaking.

Kannada Wedding

Kannada Weddings are a comparatively simple but pleasurable affair. There are different social communities in Karnataka, each following different wedding rituals.

Sikh Wedding

The customs of Sikh wedding ceremonies are similar to those practiced by Hindus. One important difference is that while Hindus follow Vedic texts, Sikhs follow Adi Grantha.

Buddhist Wedding

Buddhists weddings are strictly conventional, reflecting the pomp and glamour. In Buddhism, marriage is purely a secular affair. These weddings are based more on faith and less on religion.

Hindu Wedding Rituals

Hindu Wedding Rituals are many in number and involve not only the bride and groom but family members and even the community. A number of religious rites are performed before and during the nuptials.

Muslim Wedding Rituals

Muslim Wedding Rituals are best known for inviting and welcoming the guests. Muslims observe colourful marriage customs in different parts of the world depending upon their local cultures and traditions.

Christian Wedding

The Christian wedding is graceful yet simple affair, involving the exchange of wedding vows. Christian wedding usually is conducted in a Church.  

Jewish Wedding

Jewish wedding is a reflection of their tradition and beliefs. In Jewish law, marriage is made up of two separate acts, called kiddushin and nissu`in respectively.

Maithil Brahmin Wedding

For a Maithil Brahmin, Kanyadan or offering the gift of a girl in marriage is alike the gift to a god. Marriage is a conventional affair for the people of Maithil Brahmin sect.

Wedding in the Indian Royal Households

Wedding in Indian royal households is a gaudy, extravagant with ample pomp and show. These venues not only exhibit the ancient charm but they also cater to all the necessary modern requirements.

Indian Wedding Dresses

The Indian wedding dresses are elaborate set of clothes worn by the bride, bridegroom and the people attending the wedding. It differs from region to region as per the traditions of the different communities.

Marriage Laws in India

The wedding laws in India takes care of the marriages in the nation and its registration procedures. Each citizen of India is entitled to follow the law they wish in marriage and divorce.