Which marriage type is best? A question that most of us would have asked ourselves at least once in our lives. There are eight different types of marriages in India, each one slightly different from the other, and depending on your personality and goals in life, you should look at them carefully before taking the final plunge. Here’s a list of the most common marriage types found in India and what you can expect from each one.
1) The Gajjumaries of Meghalaya
The Gajjumaries is a type of marriage found in the state of Meghalaya, India. In this type of marriage, the bride and groom are each required to have seven unmarried sisters. If either the bride or groom does not have seven sisters, then their parents must find seven other unmarried girls to stand in as sisters for the wedding. This type of marriage is meant to bring good luck and fortune to the newlyweds. It also ensures that they will always be able to provide food for their sisters on special occasions like birthdays and weddings.
2) Andhra Pradesh Marriage
The Pilḍaris system is found in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In this system, there are two types of marriages. Each type has its own rules and regulations.
The first type is the Brahma marriage, which is the most common type of marriage in India. This type of marriage is between a man and a woman who are not related by blood.
The second type is the Paisacha marriage, which is between a man and a woman who are related by blood.
3) The Vodapras of Gujarat
Vodapras is a type of Hindu marriage that is popular in the state of Gujarat. In this type of marriage, the bride and groom exchange seven vows, or promises, with each other. These promises are meant to symbolize the seven stages of life, and each one has a different meaning. For example, one promise may be to always be there for each other during good times and bad. Another might be to never try to change the other person’s personality.
4) The Warlis of Maharashtra
The Warlis of Maharashtra are a fascinating community with a rich culture and history. They have their own unique marriage customs that are different from the rest of India. For example, instead of having one big wedding ceremony, they have seven smaller ceremonies spread out over three days. Each day has its own special meaning and purpose.
On the first day, the bride and groom exchange garlands made of leaves and flowers. This signifies their acceptance of each other. On the second day, they exchange rings made of gold or silver. This signifies their commitment to each other. And on the third day, they take seven steps around a sacred fire, vowing to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.
5) The Mauryas of Madhya Pradesh
The Mauryas of Madhya Pradesh practice a unique form of marriage called the Gandharva Vivah, which is considered to be one of the seven types of marriages in India. In this type of marriage, there is no formal engagement or wedding ceremony. Instead, the couple simply declares their love for each other and decides to live together. While this type of marriage is not recognized by the government, it is still considered valid by many Hindus.
6) The Malaheras from Jharkhand
The Malaheras are a tribe found in the state of Jharkhand. They have their own set of customs and traditions when it comes to marriage. For example, the bride's family will make a list of all the eligible bachelors in the village and the groom's family will choose one from that list. The wedding usually takes place at the bride's house and is a three-day affair.
7) The Rabhas from Assam
The Rabhas are a community from Assam, India and they have seven different types of marriages. The first is the Kedeya Marriage, which is when the bride's father gives her away to the groom's family. The second is the Jiyo Marriage, which is when the bride and groom elope and then come back to their families to get married. The third is the Aya Marriage, which is when the bride is given away by her mother. The fourth is the Utha Marriage, which is when the bride and groom meet for the first time on their wedding day. The fifth is the Geethamruta Marriage, which is when the bride and groom sing songs to each other on their wedding day.
8) Uttarakhandi Marriages
Uttarakhand, which is located in the northern part of India, has a unique set of marriage customs. One interesting custom is that the bride and groom must each have a specific type of clothing. The series of activities that happen in the Pahadi wedding traditions are as follows: Sagai, Mehandi, Sangeet, Ganesh puja, Suwal Pathai, Duliargh, Vara Satkaarah, Varmala, Saptapadi, Pani Grahan, Kanya Daan, and the Vidaai.
Conclusion
When it comes to marriage, there is no one size fits all. Each couple is unique and thus, their wedding should be a reflection of that. In India, there are seven different types of marriages that are recognized by the law. Which one will you choose?