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It is quite natural to resist the change in the way we live and think. Social adamancy and age old practices that are followed by the Indian society has made people to just follow the rules of the society without giving much thought to the progress and change in their social life. Arya Samaj, from the time of its founding, has played a significant role in the reformation of the Indian society. Resistance to bring changes in the age old beliefs, practices and principles of the society is not an easy task. Arya Samaj as a social reform movement has contributed a lot in the upliftment of women and other sections of society. Arya Samaj has offered a platform whereby couples willing to tie the nuptial knot can legally get married without incurring exorbitant expenses. Arya Samaj marriages are acceptable by the society at large. Marriages under Arya Samaj are perfect example for removing the orthodox rigidties of our Indian society. Couples who want to get married against the wishes of their families, religious practices and against the old social practices of our society can get married in the Arya Samaj mandirs following Arya Samaj rituals. These rituals are purely based on the teachings of Vedic traditions and culture and have great significance in its meaning and practice.
The procedure of Arya Samaj marriage is very simple and hassle free. It does not involve the extended marriage rituals that are irrelevant and have no meaning. The ceremonies performed during the Arya Samaj marriage procession have great relevance and significance. The ceremonies involve are mehendi, brahmbhoj, chudha or nath ritual, thread ceremony, havan, kanya daan (performed by the parents of the bride), pratigya mantra (performed by the couple), shilarohan, parikrama (around the holy fire), kesh mochan, saptapadikriya, surya darshan, hriday sparsh, sindoor dan, dhruv darshan, reception and taking off the chudha. Arya Samaj weddings are performed at Arya Samaj mandir that also issues a marriage certificate making the marriage as legal and valid under the Indian marriage Act code.
The couple intended to get married under the Arya Samaj rituals have to furnish age certificate, residence proof, few photographs and witnesses. The rituals involve hardly take 1 to 2 hours time to solemnize the marriage. All arrangements of marriage like photography, bridal make-up, video recording, catering for the guests etc. is provided by the Arya Samaj organization, if the marriage has to be solemnized in the Arya Samaj mandir. Inter-caste and inter-religion marriages are also supported by Arya Samaj. In order to make the rigid caste system of our Indian society more flexible and for the betterment of the people, Arya Samaj has contributed a lot in the reformation of the Indian society. |
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| When an institution becomes old, then there is an inherent tendency of developing vested interests. For this reason, constant changes and reforms are required so that these interests are weeded out and the institution continues to work with the spirit with which it was created. Arya Samaj marriage is one such institution which has been used both for the noble and otherwise purposes. But, it is making news for the wrong reasons more these years since it is a convenient way out for tying the nuptial knot, damn with the society and the law. And, if the recent news of an Arya Samaj mandir trust issuing fake marriage certificates is anything to go by, then the complicity of the institution managers in the wrong deeds is a matter of very serious concern.
For an Arya Samaj mandir to issue marriage certificates, it is important that the said institution is registered with the Registrar of Societies and is set up in accordance with the provisions of the law. Further, the usefulness of the marriage certificate issued by it is limited only to the extent that it is an evidence to procure the Certificate of Marriage from the concerned authorities. However, the relevance of even this certificate can be disputed if there is sufficient proof that the correct procedures have not been followed anytime during the operation of marriage or issuance of certificate.
With the emergence of many anomalies in the way these certificates are being issued by the trusts and the fact that many of these may not be registered as well, there has been more court and police action to plug the loop-holes and clean this noble institution of the vested interests.
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