As you know about India, is multi religious and multi
linguistic country as our culture also deferent from place to
place. In case of special occasions like marriage function is
celebrating differently in community to community, or state to
state. Here I will explain how its celebrating in my village,
what are the steps taken before the marriage, how strong its
relationship, how much seriousness people are showing in this. I
am explaining the marriage function of community in Hindu
religion because in Hindu religion itself we have many community
all are celebrating in different way. All respects I can tell one
thing because of the culture of India, what we are following from
past, our motto is one marriage in our life. Second marriage is
very rare, divorce is very rare so I cant tell in
percentage so that any body can imagine the strength and
integrity of our family life.
In our village marriage may be in two way love marriage and
arranged marriage majority is arranged marriage. So I will tell
you about the arranged marriage. First will collect details of
birth of a girl from a know person. With that details the parents
of boy and girl making inquiries. If it is suitable alliance
first boy and his parents going to girls house and meeting
their family, if boy is telling okay then girls parents
come to boys house after that both of their family is
concluding okay it is through.
Next step Girls immediate relatives will come to
boys house there also some boys relatives they will
have get together.
Next step Boys immediate relative will goto girls
house one day there also will have some crowd on that day they
will decide when the marriage will take place at what time,
where, how etc. then marriage is fixed.
Next is preparation of marriage all the relatives will be
invited from both side mostly marriage may be conducted at
girls house or near to their house. Details of the
preparation and function can be viewed in the photos inserted in.
On the marriage day all the elders and parents(father and mother special) greeting (anugraha) their son(photo1), this time boy may be dressing like locally only this (dothi and shirt as in photo2). After that boy will go along with invited relatives and locals and friends by the arranged transportation to venue of the marriage.
When the boys party reaching at venue girls important relatives will be there for a reception at the front gate(as in the photo). Then all are sitting around Mandapa where the function will take place, one poojari will be there.
When the time as specified girl will come out to Mandapa as shown in the photo then girls father will come to mandapa then boy will also come then after some pooja he will take the hand of the girl and boy and place it in side the hand of the father(see the photo).
Next girl putting the chain on the boy and the boy will tie the chain(mangalya sutra) in girls neck the most important function that will take place only once in our life.
Now marriage function is over then feast
After that send off to boys house there girl will be received in boys house by the mother and relative by giving a lighted lantern after that sweet will be given to both by mother.
Now function is over, they are legally married they will have all rights to have........
Minimum age for marriage Male-21years and Female-18years old
Sex before marriage is illegal by law, community and religion.
Sex only with the married man is allowed by law, community and
religion.
For illustration I am including my marriage photos.