Modern Arranged Marriages

 In India, when men and women are expected to get married after they reach a certain age, there is a fear that they might not find the right partner or a partner at all. It is 2021, but this perception still holds true across caste, class, and communities. The biological clock, of course, plays an important role in itself.

 

According to statistics, India holds about 90 percent of the total number of arranged marriages each year. Arranged married couples uphold cultural and religious traditions. Also, couples live a long healthy married life, and such marriages end less frequently. 

 

When we think of arranged marriage, we all picture it as the bride and groom meet at the mandapam for the first time, while the modern take has more negotiation. While the family influence is still crucial, it is often the family choosing the potential partner. But the power of final say is given to the bride and groom.

 

Let’s look at the modern take on traditions.

 

Nowadays, since men and women are becoming more expressive about their choices, arranged marriages in India have been witnessing an evolution of sorts. While parents initiate the process in most cases and cultural ways, it is their children who make the final decision, this is what it is called the modern arranged marriage or semi-arranged marriage.

 

Besides, the prevalence of matrimonial websites such as Kalyanamalai empowers young Indians who live in India or America to become more self-reliant and connect with traditional values. With the web and social and economic globalization, single Indians have the opportunity to find their future companions. At last, when Indians arrive at an eligible age, these hopeful ladies and grooms cooperate, as a method of becoming acquainted with one another before marriage. This is a major change from the customs of training previously, which regularly elaborate an administered meeting between the prospective bride and the groom and several meetings between their families.

 

In the modern arranged marriage set-up, it’s not just the respective parents but also men and women who articulate their preferences too. The traditional groom usually looks for a wife who is “good-looking, well-educated, polished, and has a proper social circle.” Besides, the woman wants to work after marriage to balance them.

 

But, some things haven’t changed!

 

Horoscopes matching is one of the most important factors in India. Its 2021 and still, horoscopes are taken into consideration before moving ahead with a marriage proposal. Matching horoscopes are still of immense value. Not just parents, but nowadays millennials also opt for horoscope consultations on the website.

 

Educational qualification matters too. The traditional groom and bride generally expect their potential partner to have similar academic qualifications. This is because they will have a similar outlook on things like education and the importance of it to their children, similar world views, values, etc.

 

The best part of  arranged marriages is a better way to rediscover your roots and culture. The elaborate rituals before arranged marriages, the rituals during the marriage, and post-marriage ceremonies bring to the fore culture and practices that have been in practice for generations.

 

In arranged marriages, there is a great deal of support from two families, and whether you like it or not, everybody has a stake in the success of your marriage. When things get challenging with your married life, you have the option of seeking advice and you have a huge family by your side.

 

The main purpose of arranged marriages is to strengthen the culture and continue the family line and traditions. Other purposes may include greater financial stability, better lifestyle, better social status, companionship, love and so much more!

 

Matrimony services such as ours, have a family of 5 Lakh Happily married couples, and more than 5 Thousand Exclu

sive members. Couples with different and modern expectations are fulfilled and are now happy and in a healthy married life.

Importance and Significance of Pradosham

 Pradosham is a popular Hindu fasting (vrat) that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess

Parvati. Pradosha puja is observed on the 13th day of the lunar calendar also known as

Trayodashi of the Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha. Hence, Pradosam comes twice every

month. Pradosham literally means the removal of sins. A time period of about three hours

divided by one and a half hours before the sunset and one and a half hours after sunset is

known as Pradosha Kala.

The Pradosham can be observed by everyone irrespective of age and gender. People all over

India, observe this with full devotion and dedication. Pradosham is observed in honor of Lord

Shiva and Devi Parvati.

On this day, in some parts of India, believers worship the Nataraj form of Lord Shiva. As per

the Skanda Puranam, there are two different methods of fasting on the Pradosham. The first

method is where the devotees participate in a strict fast for the whole day and night, that is,

24 hours and which also includes staying awake at night. In the second method, fasting is

practiced from sunrise until sunset, and after worshipping Lord Shiva in the evening, the fast

is broken.

The word ‘Pradosham’ means 'belonging or relating to the evening' or 'first part of the

night' . As this sacred fasting is observed during the ‘Sandhyakaal’ that is the evening

twilight, it is called the Pradosham fasting.

One who observes this revered fast with devotion and faith is believed to possess

contentment, wealth, and good health. The Hindu scriptures have highly praised Pradosh vrat

and the disciples of Lord Shiva keep it very sacred.

Now let’s look at the Top 3 Pradosh Vrat Rituals and Puja.

● On the day of Pradosham, all the prayers and pujas are observed during the time just

before sunrise and sunset.

● As a preliminary puja, Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess Parvati, Lord

Ganesh, Lord Kartik, and Nandi. After which there is a ritual where Lord Shiva is

worshipped and invoked in a sacred ‘Kalasha’(pot). This Kalasha is placed on darbha

grass with lotus drawn on it and is filled with water.

● In some places, Shivling is also worshiped. The Shivling is given a bath with sacred

substances like ghee, curd, and milk. Some people also use a picture of Lord Shiva for

worshipping. When the puja is performed, the devotees offer Bilva leaves on the

Shivaling. Did you know, it’s believed that offering Bilva leaves on the day of Pradosh

vrat is highly auspicious.

The benefits of the Pradosham vrat vary according to the day it falls on. The different

names and respective benefits of Pradosh vrat are given below:

● Som Pradosh Vrat: It falls on a Monday . The aim of this vrat gives the devotees a

positive thought and all their desires will come true.

● Bhaum Pradosh Vrat: When Pradosh falls on a Tuesday , devotees will get relief from

their health problems and also improve their physical health.

● Saumya Vaara Pradosh Vrat: Falls on a Wednesday , the devotees on this auspicious

day seek fulfillment of their wishes and are also blessed with knowledge and wisdom.

● Guruvaara Pradosh Vrat: It falls on a Thursday and the devotees are able to bring an

end to all their current hazards by engaging in this fast.

● Bhrigu Vaara Pradosh Vrat: It is the Pradosham where the vrat is taken on a Friday .

This pradosha vrat will bring all the devotee success by eliminating the negativities

from your life.

● Shani Pradosh Vrat: The Shani Pradosh falls on a Saturday is said to be very

important of all the Pradosha vrats. The individual who observes the vrat on this day

will be able to revive his lost wealth and also seek elevation.

● Bhaanu Vaara Pradosh Vrat: It falls on a Sunday and the devotees will attain

longevity and peace by observing the fast on this day.

By observing pradosha with full devotion and dedication, all the desires are fulfilled by Lord

Shiva and Mata Parvati. It is believed that during the pradosha time Lord Shiva and Mata

Parvati performed a holy dance on mount Kailash in a pleased mood. So offering pooja during

this time gives an opportunity to remove negative karma and fulfillment of all desires. Going

for darshan to the nearby Shiva temple during pradosham kal is enough to please Lord Shiva.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

The Origin and Story of Mangalyam

 In Hindu weddings, the Thaali/Mangalyam conveys great significance in the existence of

Hindu Brides and is viewed as perhaps the sacred traditions. While we term it as

'Thirumangalyam' in South India, it is known as the Mangalsutra in the North. In contrast to

different ornaments, Thaali is of great ceremonial significance. The holy thread represents the

importance of a Hindu marriage.

So what does the Thaali stand for?

The Thirumangalyam is a mark of love, respect, and dignity and is introduced to the spouse

by her better half at the auspicious hour of the marriage day.

Do you know where did Thaali tradition begin? Let’s take a look.

In the eleventh century, the writer Katchiyappa Sivachariar referred to thaali for the 1st time

in his book Kanthapuram! From that point onwards, thaali was accepted to have come into

tradition. In North India, the Mangalsutra is a black and gold beaded accessory.

You must have seen the golden part of the chain, this represents Goddess Parvati, and the

black beads symbolize Lord Shiva. Before the Thaali tradition started, women wore a

Kungumam on their forehead and men wore rings on the toe. In early times, Thaali was worn

simply by Hindus, and later Christians began wearing thaali. It is believed that thaali

represents the union of the husband and the wife and also protects them from evil. Thaali is

generally worn with a gold chain commonly known as saradu or “manja kayiru” in most

circumstances, the Thaali is brought from the groom’s side.

Now let's look at the different elements of the Thaali and what they mean!

As per the customs, the Thaali includes golden coins, golden roundels, corals, and bottu.

They may also include elements like the sun, moon, shivlinga, Goddess Meenakshi, Thulasi,

etc. as part of the design.

How heavy is a Thaali you ask? A Thaali generally weighs between 4 to 8 grams which is

made of 22 karats or 18 karat gold. So what about people who cannot afford gold? In such

cases, the groom ties a turmeric Thaali which is tied to the Manja Kayiru and considered as a

Thirumangalyam. The irony is that the Thaali should be worn in such a way that it is not

visible. India is a land of diversity and the same applies in the case of the Thaali designs as

well!

Here's an interesting twist to the tradition. The traditional Thirumangalyam doesn’t have

stones studded in it, but now young brides are opting for diamond-studded Thaali for their

wedding. This is in line with the changing social norm surrounding the wearing of Thaali.

To buy a different style traditional Mangalyam/ Thaali, click the link - *sumangali jewellers

link*

Sumangali jewellers is one the premier destination for Thaalis. They have won the National

Award twice for Bridal wedding collections. So the best place that we would suggest you to

go and buy the traditional yet trendy designs is Sumangali Jewellers.