Marriage in a broad sense means a legally and socially sanctioned union of a man and a woman that accords them the status of husband and wife and to their offsprings as legitimate children being governed by laws that prescribe the rights and duties of each party to the marriage. The animal mates, but man marries. Looking from the biological point of view, we can say that mating is a biological matter, while marriage is a social affair. The sex instinct is one of the basic instincts for reproduction. In the case of man, however, from the beginning of society, this instinct has been subjected to distinct regulations and control. In the animal kingdom, there are no definite rules for mating because they have no society and social norms. But in human society, there are various kinds of social controls, religious limitations, and even laws of marriage. For human beings, sex relations are allowed within certain permitted limits. Marriage is a holy sanctifying, life long, comprehensive, loving union of a man and a woman, leading to the procreation of children.

1. MEANING OF MARRIAGE -RELIGIONS

Hinduism

• Marriage is a sacramental bond between a man and a woman performed for Dharma and not for pleasure.

Islam

• Unlike the sacramental marriage among Hindus, Muslim marriage is considered to be a civil contract.

Christianity

• Marriage happens because of the will of God creating not only biological relations but also a religious and mental union between the partners.

Sikhism

• Sikh marriage called Anand Karaj is not only a physical and legal contract but a blissful union of two souls.

Jainism

• Marriage, being regarded more or less of a worldly affair, means a public declaration of a man and a woman’s union as husband and wife for the entire life.

Buddhism

• Buddhism considers marriage as a personal and individual concern not a religious duty. Buddhism neither compels a person to get married nor to remain unmarried.

Zoroastrianism

• Marriage is a sacred union of two souls competing with each other in the ideal practice of abnegation (renunciation of own interests in favor of the other).
   

2. WHY DO PEOPLE MARRY?/IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE

• Being a social animal, a human being can’t live in isolation and needs companions and
• A permanent companion mutually fulfilling all types of needs is found only in wife/ husband.
• Marriage is the only means for legitimate expression of sexual satisfaction, mutual love, pleasure, and happiness of the husband and wife.
• Marriage provides for the procreation of children.
• Marriage is one of the deepest, longest, and most fulfilling of human relationships as it unites a man and woman their bodies, minds and souls, emotions, and desires.
• Friendship is the cornerstone of marriage which lasts even when the sexual desire is over. It remains even after the children are grown up and settled.
• Marriage is a means through which the socialization and growth of a person reach its fulfillment. It provides numerous opportunities to bring about security, love, and co-operation.
• Marriage creates a family to provide the natural environment in which a person can realize himself/herself and reach out to others in an attitude of dedication and service.
• Marriage ensures the attainment of maturity through the establishment of relationships in marriage.
• Marriage gives society a firm base and a stable environment for rearing and educating the children.
   

3. HINDU MARRIAGE

a) CONVENTIONAL HINDU MARRIAGE-

Hindu Marriage was primarily meant for fulfilling one’s duty, procreation, and sexual gratification. It had been a religious subject and was said to be sacramental due to three elements;

• It was a permanent and indissoluble union
• It was an eternal union
• It was a holy union.

b) CONTEMPORARY HINDU MARRIAGE-

In the present day, marriage has undergone many changes. The greatest contribution of the Industrial Revolution is the emergence of concepts of Liberty, Equality, Privacy, Voluntary Union, and Consent which have started playing a vital role in the reformation of Hindu marriage.

• The 1st element of permanence and the indissoluble union was destroyed by the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 which recognizes Divorce.
• The 2nd element of the eternal union was destroyed in 1856 when the widow marriage was given statutory recognition.
• Hindu marriage today is less sacramental and more consensual and contractual.
   

4. CONDITIONS / REQUIREMENTS FOR HINDU MARRIAGE

• Age of the parties
• Monogamy
• Absence of idiocy, lunacy, and unsoundness of mind.
• Parties are not within the degrees of prohibited relationship.
• Parties are not Sapindas of each other.

Additional Conditions like Hindu Religion, Ceremony, Consent, and Registration.