indian customs Guides

The Seven Vows of a Hindu Marriage

In Hinduism it is believed that rituals and customs are the true ingredients for a happy married life. The seven vows taken at the time of a Hindu marriage are the seven promises sworn by the bride and the groom. These vows are sworn during the pheras taken around the sacred fire called the havan kund. The sacred fire is the witness of the vows sworn by the groom and the bride. The priest continuously chants the vedic mantras during the pheras. The bride and groom then pledge their commitment to take care of each other in any circumstances throughout their life. Following are the vows:

Arranged Marriages in India

The concept of arranged marriage may sound impractical to the Western world, but in India, it is a usual norm. No matter how westernized India may have become, arranged marriages are still viewed as the most preferred choice in the Indian families. This kind of marriage has its roots laid to the time, when the ritual of child marriage prevailed in the country. Child marriage was essentially performed, so as to restrict the children from marrying outside their community and social status. The practice was essentially a way of uniting and maintaining the difference between the rich upper clas...

First time in India?- A guide to Indian social e...

India is such a complicated mix of old and new traditions, customs and outlooks, that it is difficult to sum up Indian culture in one article. It is sometimes a mix of Western and Asian cultures as well as conservative and modern at the same time. This vast and complex culture is best left to experience in person. What stands out most about India is the there is an hierarchical structure in place for most relationships be it in business, family life, schools and so on. In other words Indians are very conscious of social order and their status relative to other people be it family, friends...

The Culture of Arranged Marriages in India

Arranged marriages have always been a debatable subject. It is in the major outlook on relationships that Indians are vastly different, in the way they perceive the institution of marriage, to those beliefs of other countries especially in the west. Many people have a pretty major misunderstanding of the topic of arranged marriages and in fact have a fairly negative attitude regarding arranged marriages. The best way to understand the reasoning behind such cultures is to put aside your own beliefs, opinions, and preconceived ideas in order to see more clearly before dismissing it as wrong....