Indian Marriages are most colourful and outrageous Marriages. North region of India includes states names as Punjab, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttrakhand. Marriages in north part of India are very expensive and have a set of Pre and post marriage rituals. In most states marriage is a two to three daylong celebration.

Marriage is an important celebration of a person’s life. In India it’s a grand celebration with friends, family and well-wishers. It’s a memorable day of an individual’s life. An average Indian marriage may be a gathering of 300-350 persons. Money is bound to be spent in the marriages. There are many rituals and customs which make marriage ceremonies expensive. Here mentioned are few common functions of Indian marriages:

Sagai / Sagun (Engagement): This is an engagement party where about to wed Couple gets engaged to each other and exchange rings in presence of their families. The families of couple meet each other and decide the further program of marriage. This may evidence a gathering of 40-50 people.

Sangeet: any marriage in North India starts with Sangeet in which women sing the wedding song and dance on them as well. It’s an all women party in which only women are allowed. All the known and relative women of groom/bride family are invited in this celebration. There may be a gathering of 70-100 women or even more, depending on the social nature of wedding family.

Wedding day party: A complete arrangement of hosting 300 or more peoples. This is the main celebration where all rituals and customs are performed. This is the wedding day party and an average 300-400 person attends this party.

Baraat: Baraat is procession of Bridegroom’s wedding.

At wedding day friends and family arrange a procession where they dance and celebrate. Grooms ride a horse or a horse chariot. At some places motor vehicles are also used in place of Horses. Lighting, Bands, Drums and crackers are used to make it more cheerful and look worthy. It is gathering of all invitees of Groom side. A Huge amount of money gets waste in fireworks, Bands and other decorations.

Jaimal: A tradition in which Bridge and bridegroom exchange wreath (a Flower name garland) in presence of all invitees. It is a symbolical Display of their will to marry each other.

Reception/ Bahu bhoj: A party offered by groom family members for welcoming new member in family. It’s again a grand feast for all the relatives and known.

There are many more rituals where bride and groom perform. An average Indian Wedding costs Rs. 3,000,000(USD 40,000) or even more and this Figure does not include Dahej (groom’s family’s demand of Money from bride’s family). Though many condemn the demand of Dahej, but still this is a truth of Indian society.

Here is a simple calculation of expenditure over a marriage:

Sagai/ sagun Party: Rs. 4, 00,000 including rings and other offerings

Sangeet: Rs. 200000 including memento and sweets for all attending women

Baraat: A sum of Rs. 300000 spent on music Band, fireworks, lights, horses and wines.

Jaimaal: Approx Rs. 100000 which is exclusively spent to cherish this moment. Recently revolving stages with attractive decoration are in fashion where bride and groom exchange garlands.

Vivah mandap: A place where bride and groom tie their knots and take 7 vows of a marriage life. Decoration and other arrangements for these mandap functions cost around 200000.

Wedding buffet: A feast offered to all Invitees that costs around Rs. 400000

Reception: welcoming ceremony takes an Average expenditure of Rs. 500000.

Gifts and Mementos: the wed couple offers gifts and memento to all the invitees as a token of regards. This takes an average expenditure of Rs. 200000

Jewelry and Ornaments for bride: Gold and Gold jewelry are part of Indian marriage. An approx expenditure on these is Rs. 600,000.

This makes a total of Rs. 3000000(USD 60000) for an average Indian wedding. There are many more hidden expenses which cannot be calculated at once. Expect few jewelry remaining all is not an investment and is not be used by wedding couple. It’s a total Showoff.

A country which is in Huge Debts, a country where every third person is living below poverty, this type of unnecessary expenditure on celebrating a marriage is like crime. There are many other ways by which one can attain happiness can cherish this beautiful memorable moment. A Donation or a feast offered to orphanage, old age home can bring a million Dollar smiles on their faces. Every single penny saved can be a saving for future. Here mentioned are few ways to cherish the moment in a different less costly manner:

• One must Avoid Expenses on throwing many parties. Giving just one big party and that too after marriage would be better option in my opinion. Marriage is a lifetime decision and one must try to keep it simple.
• Too much Expenditure on Decorations, lightening, Cracker and Other Caboodle is not that much necessary. One must understand that it is not a Showoff of your wealth; it’s a moment and lifetime decision to live life with his/her partner. Too much fireworks and noise produces pollution and as a Human it’s one’s duty to “Live and let live”
• One must Avoid too much of Expenses on Cloths and Jewelry. Though jewelry is an investment in gold but most of the time women not prefer to sell it out so it’s an investment which will be a lifelong investment only and one will never be able to reap the profits from it. Save some money from this expenditure and put it in any other investment plan and help the nation. Remember blocked money is a liability for nation.

Indian Marriages are a joy to attend but unnecessary expenditure on various functions and ritual is a sheer wastage of money and time. Most of the marriage takes whole night time for performing all the customs and rituals. We are in 21^st Century and we must know the importance to Time and money. These rituals are thousand year old and must be replaced by some new as per modern time. We all agree that marriage is an agreement and union of a man and women to live their rest of life with each other. Everyone must bear this fact in mind and should celebrate their wedding day with the blessings of their well-wishers.

Raja Kumar