Know Why the 'Kundali' is Matched

Almost all Indian Hindu marriages are dependent on the matching of the bride and groom’s kundali/horoscope. This is considered to be highly important, as according to Hindu wedding traditions the success of a marriage depends on the matching of the horoscope. In case of arranged marriages, the matching of kundali is essentially a compulsion, and in case of love marriages also this process holds its own quite often.

Is the matrimony compatible?

This is one of the questions that find its answer in the matching of both the partners’ horoscopes. The horoscope reveals the planet positions and their good/bad effects in a person’s life. It is believed that after marriage, the bride and the groom becomes ONE and the good luck or ill fate of one spouse influences the other; therefore, matching the horoscope to ensure that none of the spouse’s will be harmed post the matrimonial union is on a mandate.

Is the bride and groom mentally as well as physically compatible?

To know whether a happy marriage or an unhappy one follows after the union between the bride and groom, the horoscope is matched. The mentality, behavior and temper of the bride and groom are matched through their respective horoscopes. The kundali is also matched to know the level of physical attraction among the couple and also to know how their health will keep post-marriage.

Do the gunas match?

There are certain gunas or qualities that have to be matched among the bride and groom prior to the wedding. For testing the relationship quotient among the couple, a total of 36 gunas have to be matched. A minimum of 18 gunas have to be matched for the wedding to happen; in case more gunas match, the compatibility within the couple will be better.

Is the couple going to be financially stable?

Financial stability is required for a family’s wellbeing, so this is also paid attention to. Apart from financial conditions, job prospects, and promotions post-marriage, the horoscope is also used to find out whether the couple will be able to adjust with each other in their new life together.

Can you think of any other reasons the kundali is matched for? Share with us. 

Do Not Jump into an Arranged Marriage Right Away – Give it Some Time

Are you mentally preparing for an arranged marriage? Are your parents looking for a bride or groom for you or have you trusted the online matrimonial sites to find a suitable life partner? No matter what medium you choose to find your soul mate, remember that it is essential to give the new relationship some time and make it a point to know the person well before you settle down with him/her for a lifetime.

Communication is essential

If you are interested in the man or woman your parents have chosen for you, or you have met online, then it is mandatory to talk to the person as much as possible. After talking over the phone or chatting online, take things forward by meeting your prospective match in person. Choose a public place like a restaurant or may be go for a movie; however, it is important for both to agree on the place for meeting. It is essential to talk to each other and know of each other’s interests, only then can you find out how compatible you are with each other. Respect each other’s likes, preferences and dislikes. Later you can also arrange a meeting with your parents.

Give the relationship some time

Usually in arranged marriages, the bride and the groom has to go in for an engagement soon after the match is decided upon. However, it would be wise to maintain a time gap between the engagement and the wedding. Both the bride and the groom can take a good interval in understanding each other well, so that the marriage is not a hasty decision. Note that a man and woman will put on their best behavior in the initial one-two months, as both will wish to impress each other. It will be ideal to wait before the marriage and know the ‘real’ person before one can go in for a lifetime commitment.

If things go right, you will be surprised at how your arranged marriage will get transformed into love marriage.

Are You Ready to Get Married?

Marriage is a union you make with one person on a single day for life, so before you think of matrimony, it will be wise to ask yourself ‘Am I ready to get married?’.  First and foremost, it is essential to feel the lack of a soul mate. In case, you are single, you may take the help of online matrimonial sites to find an ideal partner whose preferences match yours.

Have you completed your education?

It is important to finish your education before you think of marriage. Remember that proper education can provide you with a good job and can give you financial security. Marriage comes with responsibilities towards your partner, so ensure you have done your best to give her a good future. In case of women, it will be better to complete your education and then get married, as all groom’s families will not be open to the idea of their daughter-in-law going to the college or university after marriage.

How financially secure are you?

This goes especially for the men. It is advisable to have a stable job before getting married. If you are having a stable income every month, you can relax and get married. Women who want to be financially independent should not think about marriage before finding a job and earning. It is better if you can save some amount in your bank account before you fix the date for your wedding. Nowadays, several brides and grooms prefer to pay for their own weddings; in this case, you will need to have some savings.

Are you ready to adjust and share?

You may have been the only child of your parents, but after marriage, you will have to adjust and share everything that is yours with your life partner. Note that the sharing part is not limited to material things, but you also have to be comfortable in sharing your views, secrets and dreams. Marriage brings in adjustment; so you must be willing to accept your life partner as your better half and forget about ‘me’ and only think about ‘us’.

Are you serious enough?

Marriage is not a cake walk; the honeymoon phase ends quickly and then there are several efforts required from both the husband and the wife in keeping their marriage intact. You need to be serious about each other and make a commitment to keep the bond strong and going forever.

Does your vision of future match hers/his?

In case you have found someone with whom you would like to spend a lifetime, find out if his/her vision of future matches yours. If the views do not match at all, there will be no gain in going ahead with the relationship.

 If you are confused in determining whether you are ready for marriage or not, you can also go for premarital counseling. This might act as the perfect guidance for you as well as your would-be life partner.

Significance of Gotra in Hindu Marriages

Gotra/Gothra/Gotram is a concept that helps identify the families of a particular Hindu caste. This patrilineal classification is the base on which Hindu weddings usually occur. Brides and grooms belonging to a similar gotra are considered to be distantly related/brothers and sisters, and are forbidden from marrying each other.

The Gotra system originated among the Hindu Brahmins and is considered to be descents from Saptarishi or the seven sages, who were Angirasa, Atri, Gautam, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Vasistha, and Bharadwaja.

Marriage between cousins can lead to deformed children; gotram can be a safe option

There is scientific evidence that marriage between blood relatives have chances of giving birth to abnormal offspring owing to hybrid DNA combinations and genetic mismatch. For maintaining the genetic distance in marriages, gotra is considered to be a safe bet. That is one of the major reasons why gotram has become such an important part of Hindu marriage traditions.

According to Hindu customs and vedic rituals, a marriage that takes place between a bride and a groom belonging to the same gotra is considered to be an impure union. It is believed that such a matrimony will bring upon doom on the family and clan; whereas, it is believed that marriage of people belonging to different gotras will bring happiness, progeny and prosperity to the family.

In a Hindu wedding, a bride belongs to her father’s gotra till the marriage is successful; post marriage she will belong to her husband’s gotra.

However, according to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, marriage between members of the same gotra has been legalized. ‘A marriage solemnized between Hindus before the commencement of this Act, which is otherwise valid, shall not be deemed to be invalid or ever to have been invalid by reason only of the fact that the parties thereto belonged to the same gotra or pravara or belonged to different religions, castes or sub- divisions of the same caste.’

Toe Rings for the Indian Bride

In Indian wedding custom, women of several communities have it mandatory and as part of their wedding ceremony to wear toe rings preferably on the second toe of the feet. In Hindi, the toe ring is called Bichiya, and is usually put on the bride by her husband on the wedding day. Married women wearing toe rings only stops wearing the toe rings with their husbands’ death.

Toe rings are especially made of silver, and not of gold, as gold is considered to be the metal of the Gods and it is considered improper to wear gold below the waist. In Hindu marriage traditions, married women wear one toe ring each on the second toe of both feet and many wear only one toe ring on just one toe of a single foot. There are other customs where a married woman wears one toe ring on a foot for her husband and another toe ring on the second foot for her brother.

Scientific explanation

It is believed that wearing the toe ring on the second toe of the foot implies that certain nerves are pressed keeping the reproductive system balanced and healthy. It is also believed that the menstrual cycle for the Hindu brides wearing the toe rings will be regular and the chances of conceiving are increased.
Toe rings are designed in a manner that they can be easily worn on the toes. They are usually open hoops, though there may be some which are closed rings. Unmarried women are discouraged from wearing the toe rings.


Can you add anything more to the significance of wearing toe rings?