The culture of India has changed over several millennia. Some traditions continue to live to this day, attracting millions of enchanted tourists to the country. 
We have all heard about caste society, untouchables, but what do we know about Indian weddings? It's interesting how they go. And is it really impossible in India to marry for love, not by arrangement? Among the upper castes, marriages are generally concluded without a dowry, but with a dowry, while among the lower castes, marriage is more like buying a bride. There are a total of 8 types of marriage in India, this is true.
Brahma
The best marriage is when the father of the bride invites the groom of the same class to the house and gives him his daughter as a gift. A dowry is given for the bride, and the newlyweds, after performing all the required sacred rituals, begin a happy life together. 
Daiva
This is when, in gratitude for the sacrifice performed by the groom, the father gives him his daughter. 
Arsha
When marrying Arsha, parents do not give any property or money for the bride. On the contrary, her father receives a ransom from the groom in the form of a bull or a cow. 
Prajapatya
Adult, responsible people consciously enter into such a marriage. The bride's father admonishes the young couple with the words: “Fulfill the dharma together,” and lets his daughter go without a dowry, but does not demand a ransom from the groom. 
Gandharva
The only type of marriage in which young people unite their lives through love. Such a marriage is condemned by society and was always concluded secretly, when the lovers were sure that they would not be able to receive the blessings of their parents. 
Swayamvara is a type of Gandharva. A marriage in which the bride chooses her groom from several candidates for her hand. How widespread this was among ordinary people is a question, but the legendary princess Sita chose Prince Rama as her husband. As legends say, they were happy together and faithful to each other.
Asura
This marriage involves a bride price. 
Rakshasa
This is when a girl is abducted by force. She can scream and resist, just like in the film “Prisoner of the Caucasus.” Unfortunately, the bride's relatives could have been killed in the past, and the girl herself could have been captured as a trophy of war. 
Paishacha
A paishacha marriage cannot even be called a marriage. This is the most indecent union of all, when the unfortunate girl is forcibly seduced in a crazy, sleepy or drunken state. But this is still an alliance because she will no longer be able to return home after being dishonored. 
Although today child marriage is prohibited by Indian law, in villages young girls are still married off to old men without asking their wishes. In India you can find polygamy and even polyandry. The husband takes a second or third wife if the first one cannot bear him a son. But polyandry is a very rare phenomenon. It is found among some of the lower castes living on the Deccan plateau, and in the north of the country among the Mongoloid tribes.
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