Concept of Arranged Marriages in India

Since the time unknown, the concept of arranged marriages has been prevalent in India. Even these days, there is an overwhelming majority of Indians who have their marriages planned and executed by their parents and other respected family-members, without the assent of the bride and groom. Arranged matches or arranged marriages are made after taking into account various factors such as age, height, personal values and tastes, the backgrounds of their families (wealth, social standing) and their castes and the astrological compatibility of the prospective couples' horoscopes.
In India, the institution of marriage is considered a very significant one. Generally in arranged marriages, both the parents and the young people feel that since they were older and wiser than their progeny, they would be able to find an appropriate match for their children with more forethought than the latter. Although in India, mostly marriages are arranged, some couples are opting for love marriage in urban towns and cities. Amongst the Indians who are residing in overseas, many marriages are still arranged with the support of the parents. Even the so-called love marriages in India usually happen with the consent of parents, although their blessing may sometimes be a little reluctant.
Marriages in India are considered to be a decision of lifetime that is why divorce rate in India is extremely low. In our country, 1.1% of marriages turn into a divorce compared with over 45.8% for USA. The concept of arranged marriages can be pointed out as the reason for the same.
An arranged marriage is successfully the consequence of a wide search by both the girl's family and the boy's family. They make sure for compatibility without using emotions. It, therefore, incorporates some of the features of modern computer database based matchmaking.
The below given factors are normally considered in Indian marriages to search for compatibility:-
* Values and personal expectations should go with each other
* Age and height - girl should generally be younger and shorter
* Looks should be acceptable to both them
* Religion should also preferably be same and same sect
* Mother tongue and caste should also be preferably same
* Diet (veg / non-veg / alcohol / smoking) may be different only if acceptable to the other
* Education should more or less be comparable
* Profession - it should be acceptable to each other
* Financial - It is a very important factor. The boy's current and future financial situation should be always be acceptable to the family of the girl.
* Astrological signs / attributes - both of these things should be compatible, if the two families believe in it.
The parents usually talk about the expectations with their son / daughter prior to searching for the right match. These expectations should be shared with relatives and family friends who can often bring suggestions / matches. The various Indian matrimonial sites endeavour to provide all kinds of databases that can be used to find matches using same kind of attributes.
Other fact is that the Hindu Dharma accords paramount importance to marriage between two people who are found compatible.
After the parents of both bride and groom agree with each other, then an engagement function is fixed and after that marriage date is decided as per bride and grooms horoscope. After that, in the name of god, both the families exchange fruits and cloths as a sign of happy acceptance.
After all this has happened, an auspicious day is chosen for the wedding, which is in accordance with the religious almanac and the bride and the groom's horoscope and also, if it is moon's phase (ascending is specifically preferred by some) apart from any other logistical considerations.
In the end, the wedding is conducted in accordance with all the Vedic rites and rituals with the invited guests (considered to be the 'society') in whose presence the girl is given away in holy wedlock to the boy.
This means that from the day of the wedding, he has to consider himself responsible for fulfilling her smallest of small desires to the biggest of them, to the best of his capability. On that day, he promises to be faithful to her and to worship the ground she walks on. In return, she is to treat him as her lord and master, her guide and advisor through good and bad, for all through her life.

Sukhpreet Kaur writes on behalf of Jeevansathi.com, which is India's fastest growing matrimonial website, provides online Indian matrimonial classified services. Jeevansathi.com enables users to create a online matrimony profile on the website and allow prospective grooms and brides to contact each other. Users can search for profiles through advanced search options on the website. Users can avail free registration and make initial contact with each other through services available on Jeevansathi.com via Chat, SMS, and e-mail.