PQRS1: Created First Details W/ Infobox

2026-03-23T10:59:24Z

Created First Details W/ Infobox

New page

{{Short description|None}}

'''Weddings in India''' are festive occasions and usually celebrated with extensive decorations, color, music, dance, outfits and rituals that depend on the community, region and religion of the bride and the groom, as well as their preferences.<ref name="ft2008">[https://www.ft.com/content/7498e59c-2233-11dd-a50a-000077b07658 Sari nights and henna parties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305203137/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7498e59c-2233-11dd-a50a-000077b07658.html#axzz2aqrbE3eF |date=2016-03-05 }}, Amy Yee, The Financial Times, May 17, 2008</ref> India celebrates about 10 million weddings per year,<ref>India's love affair with gold {{Cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57376057/indias-love-affair-with-gold/ |title=India's love affair with gold |work=CBS News |access-date=2017-01-01 |archive-date=2013-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808171618/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57376057/indias-love-affair-with-gold/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}, CBS News, February 12, 2012</ref> of which about 80% are [[Hindu wedding]]s. Approximately 90% of marriages in India are still [[Arranged marriage in the Indian subcontinent|arranged]].<ref name="hoiberg2000"/> Despite the rising popularity of [[love marriages]], especially among younger generations, arranged marriages continue to be the predominant method for finding a marriage partner in India.<ref name="hoiberg2000">{{cite book |last1=Hoiberg|first1=Dale |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-xzljvnQ1vAC |title=Students' Britannica India |last2=Ramchandani |first2=Indu |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica (India) |year=2000 |isbn=0-85229-760-2 |location=New Delhi |oclc=45086947 |quote="... It was widely expected that the custom of "arranged marriage," so called, would decline as India modernized and as an individualistic ethos took root ... vast majority (over 90%) of marriages in all communities ... surprisingly robust ..."}}</ref>

A daughter's marriage can often be the most costly event in the life of an Indian family, with some estimate indicating that families spend more than six times a family's annual income on the wedding.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Bloch |first1=Francis |last2=Rao |first2=Vijayendra |last3=Desai |first3=Sonalde |date=2004 |title=Wedding Celebrations as Conspicuous Consumption: Signaling Social Status in Rural India |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3558992 |journal=The Journal of Human Resources |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=675–695 |doi=10.2307/3558992 |jstor=3558992 |issn=0022-166X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Most of these costs go towards dowries and the wedding celebration.<ref name=":0" /> Scholars have characterized these expenditures as being strongly shaped by [[social norm]]s and by desires to signal [[social status]].<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Hindu marriage ceremony offering.jpg|thumb|Hindu marriage ceremony]]
[[File:A fancy Indian wedding taking place in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India.jpg|thumb|An Indian wedding taking place in [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]]]
[[File:Wedding Bliss!.jpg|thumb|Bengali Hindu wedding in [[Kolkata]]]]

==Ceremonies in Hinduism==
While there are many festival-related rituals in Hinduism, ''[[vivaah]]'' ([[wedding]]) is the most extensive personal ritual a Hindu undertakes in his or her life.<ref name="rjb1969">Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, Rajbali Pandey (1969), see Chapter VIII, {{ISBN|978-81-208-0396-1}}, pages 153–233</ref><ref name="jgl2001">The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M, James G. Lochtefeld (2001), {{ISBN|978-0-8239-3179-8}}, Page 427</ref> Typical Hindu families spend significant effort and financial resources to prepare and celebrate weddings. The rituals and process of a Hindu wedding vary depending on the region of India, local adaptations, resources of the family and preferences of the bride and the groom. Nevertheless, there are a few [[Hindu wedding#Key rituals|key rituals]] common in [[Hindu wedding]]s – ''Kanyadaan'', ''Panigrahana'', and ''Saptapadi''; these are respectively, giving away of daughter by the father, voluntarily holding hand near the fire to signify impending union, and taking seven steps before fire with each step including a set of mutual vows. After the seventh step and vows of ''[[Hindu wedding#Saptapadi – short form|Saptapadi]]'', the couple is legally husband and wife.<ref name=jgl2001/><ref>History of Dharmasastra, Vaman Kane (1962)</ref><ref name=prabhu2011>P.H. Prabhu (2011), ''Hindu Social Organization'', {{ISBN|978-81-7154-206-2}}, see pages 164–165</ref> Jain and Buddhist weddings in India, share many themes, but are centered around their respective religious ideas and texts.<ref>{{cite book|author=Natubhai Shah|title=Jainism: the world of conquerors|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4IDXAAAAMAAJ|year=1998|publisher=Sussex Academic Press|isbn=978-1-898723-30-1|pages=203, 263}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Axel Michaels|title=Homo Ritualis: Hindu Ritual and Its Significance for Ritual Theory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CWxCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA267|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-026264-8|pages=102–104, 266–268}}</ref>

==Other religions==
[[Indian Sikh]] marriages are conducted through a ceremony called [[Anand Karaj]]. The couple walk around the respective holy scripture, the [[Guru Granth Sahib]], four times, and then perform the [[Ardās]] prayer & praise.

[[Indian Muslim]]s celebrate a traditional [[Islamic marital practices#Indian subcontinent|Islamic wedding]], with rituals including ''Nikah'', payment of financial dower called ''[[Mahr]]'' by the groom to the bride, signing of marriage contract, and a reception.<ref name="Zawaj">[http://www.zawaj.com/weddingways/three_days.html Three Days of a Traditional Indian Muslim Wedding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221134743/http://www.zawaj.com/weddingways/three_days.html |date=2020-02-21 }}, zawaj.com</ref>

[[Indian Christian]] weddings follow [[Christian views on marriage|Christian marriage customs and values]]. Among [[Protestants in India]], the [[Engagement#Christianity|betrothal rite]] celebrates the engagement of a couple, with prayers being offered for the couple and engagement rings being blest by a [[pastor]]. Among [[North India]]n Christians, a day before the wedding, the [[Mayian|Haldi/ Ubtan/ Mayun ceremony]] happens; in which turmeric paste is applied on the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. Among [[Goan Christian]]s and [[South Canarese Christian]]s the Roce ceremony is held, in which coconut paste is applied on the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. Among the [[Bombay East Indian Christian]]s, the Umbracho Pani ceremony is held, a day before the wedding, in which water drawn from a well is used to bathe by the bride-to-be and groom-to-be.<ref>{{cite web | title=East Indians: A Rich Legacy! | date=30 July 2014 | url=https://www.afternoonvoice.com/east-indians-a-rich-legacy.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904160256/https://www.afternoonvoice.com/east-indians-a-rich-legacy.html | archive-date=4 September 2017 }}</ref> On the wedding day, the couple meet in the presence of a priest at a church. Passages from the [[Bible]] are read out. The bride and groom take their [[marriage vow]]s. The bride and groom then exchange [[wedding ring]]s, symbolising their love for each other.<ref name="Das2021">{{cite web |last1=Das |first1=Debomitra |title=Meanings of rituals in Christian weddings |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/web-stories/meanings-of-rituals-in-christian-weddings/photostory/83638600.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=24 September 2021 |language=English |date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

[[Interfaith marriage#India|Interfaith marriages in India]], especially between Hindus and Muslims, have been the subject of legal constraints in some states, vigilante harassment, and fears of violence.

==Marriage age==
In the past, the age of marriage was young, often childhood or early teenage.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heitzman|first=James|title=India: A Country Study.|url=http://countrystudies.us/india/|publisher=US Library of Congress|access-date=26 December 2012}}</ref> The legal age of marriage is 21 for males and 18 for females. However, the average age of marriage varies, with males typically marrying between 23 and 28 years of age and females between 20 and 25 years of age. Arranged marriages have long been the norm in Indian society. Even today, the majority of Indians have their marriages planned by their parents and other elder family members. Recent studies suggest that Indian culture is trending away from traditional arranged marriages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Is Education Associated with a Transition towards Autonomy in Partner Choice? A Case Study of India |author1=Manjistha Banerji |author2=Steven Martin |author3=Sonalde Desai |year=2008 |publisher=University of Maryland & NCAER |url=http://ihds.umd.edu/IHDS_papers/PartnerChoice.pdf |access-date=2017-01-01 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214920/http://ihds.umd.edu/IHDS_papers/PartnerChoice.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fewer marriages are purely arranged without consent and that the majority of surveyed Indian marriages are arranged with consent. The percentage of self-arranged marriages (called love marriages in India) have also increased vastly, particularly in the urban areas of India such as [[Mumbai]] and [[Delhi]].<ref>David Pilling (June 6, 2014) [http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/beba2500-eb2c-11e3-bab6-00144feabdc0.html#axzz34JegEXnD Review – 'India in Love', by Ira Trivedi; 'Leftover Women', by Leta Hong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928095735/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/beba2500-eb2c-11e3-bab6-00144feabdc0.html#axzz34JegEXnD |date=2014-09-28 }} The Financial Times</ref>

==Wedding industry==
Weddings are a major business in India. According to a report by [[KPMG]] in 2017, the Indian [[wedding]] industry is estimated to be around $40–50 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/retail/the-recession-proof-big-fast-indian-wedding-just-got-more-corporatised-1012991.htm|title=The recession-proof Big Fast Indian Wedding just got more corporatised|website=cnbctv18.com|date=5 October 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> It is the second largest wedding market after the United States, which is at $70 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/big-fat-indian-wedding-market-has-foreign-suitor-zankyou-lining-up/article9622383.ece|title=Big fat Indian wedding market has foreign 'suitor' Zankyou lining up|last=Pandit|first=Virendra|website=@businessline|date=7 April 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> While the industry is very unorganised with small and medium scale businesses, there are also corporate entities who are trying to tap this industry. The prime factors for growth in the industry are the rise of middle class in India, an overall booming economy and use of social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/destination-wedding-industry-to-reach-market-size-of-rs-45000-crore-by-2020/article26912691.ece|title=Destination wedding industry to reach market size of Rs 45,000 crore by 2020|last=Urs|first=Anil|website=@businessline|date=22 April 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref> It is estimated that the cost of an Indian wedding ranges from ₹500,000 and ₹50 million (from US$6,747.14 to US$674,743.50). Indians are likely to spend one-fifth of their total lifetime wealth on a wedding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/the-big-fat-wedding-industry-in-india-recap-of-2015-and-outlook-for-2016/articleshow/51008952.cms|title=The Big Fat Wedding Industry in India: Recap of 2015 and outlook for 2016|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

===Destination weddings===
[[File:Wedding Mandap with Tikri Art.jpg|thumb|Wedding mandap for Hindu ceremony. This is made by local artisans in Rajasthan by using a technique called thikri.]]
Many Indian celebrities choose destination weddings,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orissapost.com/indian-celebs-who-married-outside-india/|title=Indian celebs who married outside India|date=26 August 2019 }}</ref> and the masses take inspiration from them. Both domestic and international destinations are popular for weddings in India. The destination wedding industry in India was estimated to cross ₹450 billion in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/luxury/2019s-small-indian-weddings/article28795834.ece|title=Interactive rituals, GIF corners and VR: the story of 2019's small Indian weddings|last=Behrawala|first=Krutika|date=2019-08-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-08-27|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

===Wedding photography===
Pre-wedding shoots along with wedding photography have also become a big stake in Indian weddings. Average wedding shoots can cost from ₹15,000 to ₹100,000 per day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/on-world-photography-day-luv-israni-explains-how-to-make-money-behind-the-camera/articleshow/70732022.cms|title=A 34-year-old Indian photographer's income has grown over 42 times in 15 years — thanks to big, fat Indian weddings|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/one-wedding-photo-shoot-make-it-viral-please/articleshow/70710938.cms|title=One wedding photo shoot..Make it viral please! - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=17 August 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-27}}</ref>

==See also==
{{col div|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Hindu wedding]]
*[[Hindu Marriage Act, 1955]]
*[[Muslim personal law]]
*[[The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872]]
*[[Dowry system in India]]
*[[Dowry of Catherine De Braganza]]
*[[Indian wedding clothes]]
*[[Interfaith marriage]]
*[[White wedding]] (Christian)
*[[Islamic marital practices]]
*[[Sakharpuda]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Wedding ceremonies in India}}
*[http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/09/what-i-learned-at-my-first-white-people-wedding.html?mid=outbrainrc New York Magazine: "10 Things I Learned at My First White-People Wedding" By Beejoli Shah] September 26, 2014
*[https://www.jstor.org/stable/851685 Brass Bands: Tradition, Change, and the Mass Media in Indian Wedding Music (Baaraat)] Gregory Booth

{{Indian wedding}}
{{Asia topic|Weddings in}}
{{World topic|Weddings in|noredlinks=yes}}

[[Category:Indian wedding| ]]
[[Category:Weddings by nationality|India]]
[[Category:Indian wedding traditions]]

Weddings in India - Revision history

PQRS1: Created First Details W/ Infobox