Different Types of Marriages in India

"Marriages have always been considered as a divine union in India, it`s a commitment that lasts forever and is the strongest social bond between a man and a woman.Mythology says that there are eight different types of Hindu marriages"

Brahma Marriage:
According to the Brahma marriage, a boy is eligible to get married, once he has completed his Brahmacharya (student hood). Parents, who search for a bride for their son, would consider the family background of the girl, whom he is going to marry.There was no system of dowry. Among the eight types of marriage, brahma marriage holds a supreme position.

Daiva Marriage:
In Daiva marriage, the girl is married to a priest during a sacrifice.The parents of the daughter wait for a suitable man till sometime and when they do not find anyone, they start looking for a groom in a place where the sacrifice is being conducted

Arsha Marriage:
Arsha means Rishi (sage) in Sanskrit and Arsha means marriages with the sages or Arshas. In this kind of marriage, the parents give away the bride in exchange for two cows, which they receive from the groom’s side. This type of marriage used to take place because it was difficult for the parents of the bride to afford the expense of their daughter’s marriage at the right time. If that didn’t happen, the girl was made to marry an old sage

Prajapatya Marriage:
Prajapatya marriage is the one in which the sacred duties are performed jointly by both the bride and the groom.This kind of marriage is quite similar to Brahma vivah, which can be described as the origin of Prajapatya vivah

Gandharva Marriage:
The Gandharva Vivaha or the marriage of the celestials is a type of marriage that simply involves exchange of garlands after which the marriage is confirmed.It is considered that couples whose union is not blessed by families seek refuge in this kind of custom.

Asura Marriage:
This kind of marriage is very unique. In Asura Marriage, an unsuitable bridegroom approaches the family of the bride and offers a high price to get married to the girl. It could be considered as a bribe for marrying the girl whom the boy desires even if he does not deserve her at all

Rakshasa marriage:
In this type of marriage, the groom fights battles with the bride`s family, overcomes them and takes her away from her family and then forces her to marry. Rakshasa marriage is not considered as the right kind of marriage as this is only a forced marriage

Paishacha marriage:
The last type of marriage is Paishacha marriage. It is usually considered as the most inferior type of marriage. In this marriage, no one considers the girl`s wishes, whether she wants to marry or not instead. She is just forced to marry