To be eligible for an Arya Samaj marriage, the couple must meet the following criteria:
- They must be at least 18 years old.
- They must be either Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, or Sikh.
- They must not be already married.
- They must not be related to each other within the prohibited degrees of kinship.
The Arya Samaj also allows inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. However, if one of the partners is not a Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, or Sikh, they must undergo a conversion ceremony before the marriage can be performed.
The Arya Samaj marriage is a legally valid marriage in India. The Arya Samaj Marriage Validation Act, of 1937, provides that marriages performed under the Arya Samaj are considered to be valid Hindu marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, of 1955.
Here are some of the advantages of Arya Samaj marriage:
- It is a simple and straightforward ceremony that can be performed anywhere.
- It is not bound by the caste system or other social restrictions.
- It is legally valid in India.
- It is a relatively inexpensive option.
If you are considering an Arya Samaj marriage, there are a few things you need to do:
- Find an Arya Samaj temple or center near you.
- Contact the temple or center to find out about the requirements for marriage.
- Gather the necessary documents, such as birth certificates, identity cards, and proof of residence.
- Pay the marriage registration fee.
The Arya Samaj is a vibrant and active movement that is working to promote the Vedic tradition and to improve the lives of people in India and around the world. Arya Samaj's marriage is a simple and meaningful way to celebrate the union of two people.
The Arya Samaj marriage ceremony is a simple and straightforward ceremony that can be performed anywhere, regardless of the caste or religion of the couple.
The ceremony typically includes the following elements:
- Prayers: The ceremony begins with prayers to God. The priest may chant mantras from the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.
- Seven vows: The couple takes seven vows to each other, promising to love, respect, and care for each other. These vows are based on the principles of the Arya Samaj, such as truth, righteousness, and non-violence.
- Exchange of garlands: The couple exchanges garlands as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other.
- Circling the sacred fire: The couple circles the sacred fire seven times as a symbol of their union. The fire is considered to be a purifying element, and it is believed to bless the couple's marriage.
- Blessings from the priest: The priest gives the couple his blessings for a happy and prosperous marriage.
Arya Samaj Rituals
The Arya Samaj marriage ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate the union of two people. It is a ceremony that is based on the principles of love, respect, and equality, and it is a ceremony that is open to all people, regardless of their caste or religion.
Here are some additional details about the Arya Samaj marriage rituals:
- The prayers are typically chanted in Sanskrit, but they can also be chanted in Hindi or English.
- The seven vows are based on the principles of the Arya Samaj, such as truth, righteousness, and non-violence. The couple may choose to personalize the vows to reflect their own values and beliefs.
- The exchange of garlands is a symbol of the couple's love and commitment to each other. The garlands are typically made of flowers, but they can also be made of other materials, such as beads or leaves.
- The circling of the sacred fire is a symbol of the couple's union. The fire is considered to be a purifying element, and it is believed to bless the couple's marriage. The couple may circle the fire clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on their tradition.
- The blessings from the priest are a way of asking for God's blessings for the couple's marriage. The priest may also give the couple some advice on how to have a happy and prosperous marriage.
The Arya Samaj marriage ceremony is a simple and meaningful way to celebrate the union of two people. It is a ceremony that is based on the principles of love, respect, and equality, and it is a ceremony that is open to all people, regardless of their caste or religion.
Validity of Arya Samaj Marriage Certificate
Arya Samaj Marriage Certificate Validity is a legal marriage document in India only. You can register your Arya Samaj Mandir marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act in India with Arya Samaj Mandir Marriage Certificate and marriage photographs, to obtain a legal marriage certificate from any court in India. After this, the legal marriage certificate will be valid in all countries.
Arya Samaj Marriage Rituals
Arya Samaj weddings may not have a long list of traditional Hindu rituals, but Arya Samaj weddings have a unique set of rituals that are performed with great passion and enthusiasm. Since they do not believe in idol worship, marriages are performed in the Arya Samaj temple by chanting Vedic mantras in the presence of fire and other elements who are the witnesses of the marriage.
The mantras that are chanted during the ceremony are translated into a local language understandable to the couple. This is done so that the couple can connect with the meaning and significance of the mantras and implement them in their married life. Arya Samaj temple weddings differ from traditional Hindu weddings in that they do not involve excessive rituals and the ceremony is relatively small. The wedding ceremony lasts for an hour and the expenditure incurred in the wedding is minimal as compared to a traditional Hindu wedding. Actually, there is no ceremony before the wedding.
1. Madhuparka
As a symbol of a happy and prosperous married life, the first Arya Samaj wedding ritual performed upon the arrival of the bride and groom is the magic of the sacred Vedic hymns and its interpretation by the Pandit ji.
Next comes the garland exchange ceremony, where the bride first garlands the groom. 'Madhupark' is a mixture of honey, curd, and cream. The bride gives water to the groom three times, which he then sprinkles on his feet and body and drinks for the third time.
Similarly, the bridegroom then repeats the same ritual thrice, and then after offering the mixture to the Almighty Lord, the groom eats the Prasad.
2. Yagya and Kanyadaan
In this Arya Samaj marriage ritual, the yagya begins with the groom wearing the sacred thread. Then Kanyadaan is the ceremony of the bride's father giving his daughter's hand to the groom. This ritual symbolizes that from now on the father hands over the responsibilities of his daughter to her husband.
3. Havan
In Arya Samaj weddings, as they do not believe in idol worship, the fire burning in the center of the mandap acts as the holy witness. The priest, or gurukul, brings together the elements needed to perform the marriage rites.
4. Pani Grahan Sanskar
In this ritual, the bride and groom hold hands together and promise to love and care for each other and their needs throughout their lives while chanting mantras. After this, the bride and groom together take a 'parikrama' around the sacred fire.
5. Shilarohan
In this Arya Samaj marriage ritual, the bride's mother places the bride's right foot on a stone while the groom chants mantras given by the pandit.
The symbolism of this ritual specifies a strong and solid relationship between the bride and groom. This ritual also represents a prayer offered by the couple to strengthen their relationship.
6. Lajahom
The ritual that takes place after rock climbing is Lajahom. This ritual involves offering puffed rice or puffed rice in the fire. The bride and groom hold each other's hand and then it is offered to the sacred fire. Kshetra Samaj Mandir Marriage Process is a traditional marriage process.
7. Phere or Parikrama
After performing all the above rituals, now the bride and groom will have to take 4 rounds around the fire. The sari of the bride and the angavastra of the groom are tied in three knots and the pheras are witnessed by a sacred fire.
8. Saptapadi and Hriday Sparsh Mantra
After the Phere, seven steps or 'Saptapadi' are taken by the couple and then a circumambulation is taken around the fire. Here, couples walk side by side, hand in hand. The bride and groom also perform the Hriday Sparsh Mantra ritual. Here the couples touch each other's hearts and promise to be faithful to each other.
9. Sindoor and Mangalsutra
In the final ritual, the groom applies sindoor on the bride's forehead and ties a Mangalsutra. They feed each other sweets and promise to take care of and cherish each other henceforth.
The Arya Samaj marriage ends with the couple where the newly married couple looks at Dhruva or the Pole Star and then seeks blessings from the elders.
