To take cognizance of the start of the marriage season in India (Nov. - April.) here is a post about ancient Hindu marriages.
Manu in his Dharma-shastra describes eight types of Hindu marriages:
(Source:Law of Marriage and Divorce in India by B.P. Beri, 2nd Edition, Eastern Book Company)
Brahma
The highest form of marriage. In this form of marriage the father of a boy who has completed his studies (Brahmacharya) initiate the process to look for a suitable match for him. The girl's father voluntarily invites the grooms family to take his daughters hand in marriage. The girl is considered to be a 'gift' from her father to the boy and no dowry is given. This form of marriage elevates womanhood by making the groom search for his bride thus giving the bride more importance.
Daiva
This form of marriage occurs when the girl's family has waited a reasonable period of time for a boy to ask for their daughters hand. Then the girl's family goes out to find a suitable boy. Usually girl's were married to priests in this form of marriage. This marriage is considered to be lower than Brahma because it degrades womanhood by forcing the girl's family to look for a groom.
Arsha
In this form of marriage the girl is married to a sage (rishi) in exchange for two cows from the grooms side. This type of marriage occurs when the girl's family was not able to afford marriage at the right time. The exchange of two cows shows that the groom acknowledges that he is far from perfect. In this form of marriage nothing is given to the groom.
Prajapatya
In this form of marriage the groom, as a suitor, goes to the father of the girl and asks for her hand in marriage. This is a lower form of marriage than the Brahma form because in this case the father of the girl does not voluntarily invite the boy to marry his daughter.
Asura
This form of marriage involves the sale of the bride to the boy. In such a marriage the boy is not considered suitable for the girl. To compensate for this, the boy gives as much money and wealth as he can afford. This kind of marriage is looked upon because it is similar to selling the girl for a price.
Gandharba
This form of marriage is similar to the classical 'love marriage'. The bridge and groom marry without the knowledge of the parents. This is considered a low form of marriage because the parents have no part to play and is without their knowledge or permission.
Rakshasa
In this form of marriage the groom overcomes the girl's family and forcibly takes the girl away for marriage. This goes back to the days of open war where the winner came to control not only the lands of the losing side but also their wealth and women.
Paisacha
This is the lowest form of marriage possible. In this form the groom tricks the girl into marriage or the girl is married against her wishes.
Manu in his Dharma-shastra describes eight types of Hindu marriages:
(Source:Law of Marriage and Divorce in India by B.P. Beri, 2nd Edition, Eastern Book Company)
Brahma
The highest form of marriage. In this form of marriage the father of a boy who has completed his studies (Brahmacharya) initiate the process to look for a suitable match for him. The girl's father voluntarily invites the grooms family to take his daughters hand in marriage. The girl is considered to be a 'gift' from her father to the boy and no dowry is given. This form of marriage elevates womanhood by making the groom search for his bride thus giving the bride more importance.
Daiva
This form of marriage occurs when the girl's family has waited a reasonable period of time for a boy to ask for their daughters hand. Then the girl's family goes out to find a suitable boy. Usually girl's were married to priests in this form of marriage. This marriage is considered to be lower than Brahma because it degrades womanhood by forcing the girl's family to look for a groom.
Arsha
In this form of marriage the girl is married to a sage (rishi) in exchange for two cows from the grooms side. This type of marriage occurs when the girl's family was not able to afford marriage at the right time. The exchange of two cows shows that the groom acknowledges that he is far from perfect. In this form of marriage nothing is given to the groom.
Prajapatya
In this form of marriage the groom, as a suitor, goes to the father of the girl and asks for her hand in marriage. This is a lower form of marriage than the Brahma form because in this case the father of the girl does not voluntarily invite the boy to marry his daughter.
Asura
This form of marriage involves the sale of the bride to the boy. In such a marriage the boy is not considered suitable for the girl. To compensate for this, the boy gives as much money and wealth as he can afford. This kind of marriage is looked upon because it is similar to selling the girl for a price.
Gandharba
This form of marriage is similar to the classical 'love marriage'. The bridge and groom marry without the knowledge of the parents. This is considered a low form of marriage because the parents have no part to play and is without their knowledge or permission.
Rakshasa
In this form of marriage the groom overcomes the girl's family and forcibly takes the girl away for marriage. This goes back to the days of open war where the winner came to control not only the lands of the losing side but also their wealth and women.
Paisacha
This is the lowest form of marriage possible. In this form the groom tricks the girl into marriage or the girl is married against her wishes.
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