Weddings

weddings

Sunday Satsang

Procedures for Marriage at Arya Samaj are described here.

Procedures

Procedures for Marriage at Arya Samaj are described here.

Family Celebrations

Simply put – we are a modern temple.

Celebrate it together

Family celebrations call for special invitees. Call your childhood friends, relatives and close neighbors – everyone who would be ahppy to be part of this celebration. However, keep the guest list limited to 60-70 people only.

India is a land of Festivals and celebrations. We love to celebrate both religious functions ( sunder kand, Satyanarayan katha, Navratri, janamaashtmi ) and personal functions ( birthdays, anniversaries, get-togethers. )

Homes in metropolitan cities are small. Accommodating even 20 people for a function would disturb entire settings at home. Add to it, our fast paced life style having demands of jobs, children education and classes, little support from neighbors – all such factors leave us with little time and energy for ANY such celebration.

This is where AryaSamaj2.0 come in. We are an extension of your home – And a one stop provider to all associated requirements – place, seating, stage, decoration, lighting, food, music, video… Everything under one roof.

And there is a special ‘Havan’ suitably designed for the occasion. This adds that special spiritual grace to every function that is missing when you plan to do such event in a hotel.

We are in for every kind of your family celebration – however, we do not celebrate any kind of corporate event, kitty party, sales confrence or exhibitions at AryaSamaj2.0.

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Marriage Legality

‘Marriage’

Only AryaSamaj2.0 makes

How to register marriage at Pune

In India,

Only AryaSamaj2.0 makes

Let Me Decide

Our Campaigns

#GoElectric

No, This is Not about Electric Cars.resisted bit not of a trend whose time has come.

More About GoElectric.

#LetMeDecide

An invasion of Armies can be resisted bit not of a trend whose time has come.

More about LetMeDecide

Why Electric

The reasons are many.Not Possible to fulfill material requirements resisted bit not of a trend whose time has

More about Why Electric

Simply put – we are a modern temple.

AryaSamaj 2.0 is a new version of AryaSamaj. One hundred percent Vedic traditions mixed with practicality, modernity and Technology. AryaSamaj has always been a reformist movement. Today, we combine the sanctity of a temple with the elegance and grace of a five star establishment.

We bring out the hidden mystery, magic and forgotten beauty of our religious customs and traditions. We transform these customs to modern practical events without losing their meaningfulness.

You may be surprised to experience how our old and outdated cultural traditions are relevant in today’s context, when explained and celebrated with modern tools, technologies and knowledge.

How are we different?

We specialize in celebrating your family functions – yet we are NOT a banquet hall, a mangal karyalaya, multi purpose hall or a restaurant. Although the facilities offered by us are often better than most of them – we don’t rent out our facilities.

Central to our celebrations is a steady focus on ‘Spirituality’, Culture & Traditions. We weave every function around this theme. We explain the significance and hidden meaning of every celebration. People attending the function enjoy & get enlightened when the inner meaning of these celebrations is known to them.

Our steady focus is on development of Sanskars for young children. We believe in combining best of both worlds. A child birthday celebration has cake, pop-corns, noodles, pasta, juice, games, dance and music – but it also includes Gayatri Mantra recital, Havan by children and a traditional Aarti by mother of the child. And Yes – lamps lit in Aarti are not blown off.

How can we help you?

We provide complete end to end support to all your requirements for any type of family function or celebration. This would include arrangement for place, seating, decoration, photography, food, audio-video, music, dance … everything.

Every function has a spiritual flavour. No function happens in AryaSamaj 2.0 without a specially designed ‘Havan’. It is an integral part of every celebration.

Our focus is on ‘Family’ celebrations alone. Guest list is limited to 100 only. Commercial or business events for sales promotion, product launches, office parties, teenager parties are not permitted at AryaSamaj 2.0. Every function should have either ‘Family” or a ‘Social Objective.

Our Facilities

AryaSamaj 2.0 has an air conditional hall (temple). The hall has complete infrastructure set up like stage, decorate, lighting, dance floor.

We have an integrated Audio and Video systems are built in the hall. We are very strong in integrating modern technology for video presentation involving computers, TVs, internet. Not to mention, live feeds of the event can be relayed to your loved ones on youtube, zoom etc.

You will be amazed to see that we can include your relatives, who are thousands of miles away, to actively participate and be with you in your celebrations. We utilize a combination of Video conferencing, Google meet; live camera feeds etc to achieve this.

We do have a well equipped kitchen but the food is outsourced. Not to mention that consumption of alcoholic beverages, non vegetarian food and smoking is strictly prohibited in Aryasamaj2.0

Oldest and Boldest

Arya Samaj has been the boldest and oldest reformist movement in Indian History for last 150 years. Arya Samaj has started reforms like education for Girl child, widow marriage, inter-caste marriage, abandoning Sati Pratha and many others. Even first call for India’s independence was given by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Arya Samaj has remained in forefront for getting rid of various old illogical traditions still prevalent in our society. As per our first president, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Arya Samaj has played a major role in making Indian Society as a better civilized society.

To our credit, most social initiatives started by Arya Samaj have already reached their conclusion. Today, no educated person thinks of NOT sending his daughter to school just because she is a ‘Girl’. No lady thinks of jumping in fire because her husband is dead. Educated parents donot marry children who are five year old.

But it doesn’t mean that our job is over. Today’s social issues are much different from those of 100 year before. On-line dating, late / multiple marriages / divorces, nuclear families, abandoned parents, property disputes in family etc. are new and evolving social issues. We have largely ignored them as modern day fads. We have even ridiculed or condemned it instead of acknowledging and offering a solution.

AryaSamaj2.0 is determined to face these new social issues head on – with boldness, honesty and pure Vedic conviction. We firmly believe that our Vedic scriptures have answer to all modern problems also – we just need a interpret and explain them with a different modern approach.

Celebrations and Festivals

Ours is a the most rich culture in the world by any standards. Events like marriage / engagement are not formality in our country – parents actually wait and prepare for these events all thru their life. In India, we live for and breathe these events. Not to mention, our regular monthly / yearly festivals like Holi, Divali, Sankranti, Chaturthy, Ekadashi … we are a culture of festivals.

Each of these events has a spiritual meaning and rationale. For most of us it doesn’t mean anything more than sharing an already forwarded message on whats-up. We appreciate that there is no time left for these in our busy lifestyle. Honestly we need God only a few times in a year – when there is a reason to celebrate or a cause of sadness. Rest of the days – God is on backburner. He is there but not needed at all.

When the need for God is felt for any event – we propose to fulfill it in a truly modern way. We have an air-conditioned temple with advanced sound system, stage, crystal decorations, lighting, live internet feeds, in-house kitchen – all under one roof.

In this temple , we organize all your family functions – marriage , engagements, anniversaries, birthdays. We follow complete Vedic traditions and aim to preserve the sanctity and authenticity of our religious customs. A specially designed ‘Havan’ is always a part of every celebration.

Yet the style of celebration is truly modern. Every ceremony is explained by priests – visually, verbally, using music, films, slides. ( you can even choose to have entire function in English language ). Distant relatives can participate via video-conferencing.

Every celebration is an educative and fun filled event. It is one endeavor to let everyone know the real purpose and message associated with the event. People don’t do karm-kand alone, they experience and live the event.

Upcoming Social Issues

Process of social reforms should never stop. New social issues keep coming up and older ones change their forms. Inter-caste marriage is not a big issue today but ‘living without marriage’ is. Child marriage is completely gone out in cities but the rend of teenage pregnancy / single mothers is on the rise. Kids, who are not even 10 year old, demand privacy, independence, freedom and legal protection from their own parents. Senior citizens, who should sart detachment and renouncement, are getting married at 65 and saving money for next 50 years. Parents are unduly interfering in, dictating and controlling lives / lifestyles of their children (in laws ) and grand children.

Our current spiritual and social establishments have only 500 year old stories and sermons as answers. Youngsters don’t need this lecturing. Young children are report cards of parents. No surprise that youngsters are indifferent and disinterested in old spiritual solutions.

AryaSamaj2.0 is a modern version of Arya Samaj. We firmly believe in ancient Vedic wisdom and scriptures and we are conscious of changes taking place in our society. We propose to embrace the new evolving customs with proper knowledge and discretion and also thro out the chains of past that hinder our progress in the name of old established religious customs.

AryaSamaj2.0 is an intellectual, social and spiritual movement to spread Vedic wisdom among educated people. We have a fresh and modern outlook towards Vedic principles and an honest approach towards current social trends. We don’t accept any existing social custom / trend only because our grandparents have told us. We also do not , reject any modern practice just because it is new or western. Our balanced, logical and practical approach separates us from other social movements.

#LetMeDecide

An invasion of Armies can be resisted bit not of a trend whose time has come. Like Mobile phones. No matter how much you resist or preach, it is going sweep you off your feet.

We , at AryaSamaj2.0 firmly believe that everyone has a right and freedom to follow a social trend that he / she approves. However, this should not be done with ignorance, peer pressure, family norms or just be-cool / in-thing kind of attitude. We need to be aware of implications and hidden reasons . We need to evaluate every trend in light of our current situation and ancient spiritual knowledge.

#LetMeDecide is a series of social initiatives by AryaSamaj2.0. we examine our age old and newly evolving social customs and traditions in todays context. We bring out relevant social , historical, human and spiritual perspectives for these issues.

In #LetMeDecide, AryaSAMAJ2.0 takes up one prevalent issue and analyses it with full 360-degree perspective. We listen, question and dig out the root causes for the social trend. Then we put forward a modern ( yet Vedically Appropriate) solution to this social issue. A print, visual and social media campaign is built around it to spread awareness about its logical and spiritual implications.

#GoElectric

No, This is Not about Electric Cars.

When someone in the family leaves the world, our established Vedic tradition suggest that the body should be confined to flames on a funeral pyre made of wood in open-air pit / platform. This is called ‘Anteyshti’ or ‘Antim-Sanskar’.

AryaSamaj2.0 requests you to educate and counsel a family in grief to adapt to electricity-based cremation instead of traditional wooden pyre. This is #GoElectric.

There was a time when natural resources were adequate to follow this practice. Even today, electric crematoriums are available in Metro cities only. Today, our society can not afford it and most take a short-cut in terms of material and religious requirements. Wood used in one cremation is equal to support enough books for a child for his entire schooling needs. In Western countries, cost of a good funeral runs into few lakhs and people ( or their children ) even take huge bank loans to support it.

Not only cremation but even the post-cremation traditions followed by us are in need of an overhaul. We must question, seek answers with an open mind and then arrive at our own conclusion. Like any tradition, there is nothing absolutely right and blatantly wrong in any practice that one follows. Finally, it is our own conscience, that would guide us to right path.

Why Electric

The reasons are many.

Not Possible to fulfill material requirements

As per scriptures, the material used for funeral should be dependent on body weight of the departed person. Pure ghee should be equivalent to body weight (60 Kgs), wood should be six times (360 Kgs), samigri, Palash (45 Kgs), camphor (3Kg) and various other accompaniments. Not included are Sandalwood, Kesar, Kasturi which are prohibitevely expensive. Total cost of material prescribed at todays prices would be about Rs. 1 lakh.

Cost is Prohibitive

Even with all short cuts, material cost of traditional cremation is at least Rs. twenty thousand while electricity based would cost Rs. 250 only ( in Pune ) and is subsidized by Governement. Wooden cremation is about 80 times costlier.

Pollution increases / natural resource are depleted

Natural resources like wood camphor, wood, kesar and ghee are not in abundance like before. Wood burning without adequate ghee causes significant increase in air pollution.

It is time consuming and not safe

Wood based cremation process takes at least 3-4 hours to complete from start to finish ( besides mandatory 16 hours of cooling period). It is emotionally draining for family and other members to be present for long. Crematoriums don’t have chairs.

People often resort to short cuts and save material by pouring kerosene instead of pure ghee. Recently, 11 people in Pune were hospitalized with sever burns during a funeral because diesel was used to expedite the process.

Ease and completeness

Burning is surely complete in Electrical process because temperature and timings and monitored closely. Even collection of last remains ( asthi phool ) is easier and not time dependent. Needed mantras are recited beforehand with all symbolic ceremonies.

Vedic Weddings

World over, weddings by Arya Samaj are famous for their simplicity, authenticity and explanations. Only Arya Samaj weddings contain meaningful and relevant explanation of every ceremony in marriage. In Vedic weddings, you experience the wedding – not act in rituals.

Now we add glamour and technology to these weddings. AryaSamaj2.0 has every modern necessity required for a glamorous wedding – Air Conditioned temple, crystal mandaps, imperial seating, personalized booklets, choice of language, ceremonial music – all under one roof to make your wedding a truly memorial event. Not to mention choice of exotic but saatwik vegetarian cuisine.

Food and Festivities

Food is central in Indian Marriage celebrations. In AryaSamaj2.0, food is sacred. Freshness, purity and sanctity of food is paramount to us. Various options are available to your from just a welcome pack to brunch to high tea to a full fledged Marriage feast. The Choice is yours.

Another are requiring your attention during wedding is pre-wedding functions. Wedding is a sacred ritual but a lot of fun and frolic is associated with it. Should you need any assistance in organizing these functions ( Engagement, Teeka, Haldi, Ladies Sangeet, Lagun, Shagun ..), AryaSamaj2.0 is there to help you out.

In today’s nuclear family set up, planning a wedding is often a first-time experience for many. We , at AryaSamj2.0 assist you in budgeting, home ceremonies, rituals, invitations, return gifts, sweets – everything related to occasion. We are event planners for the wedding but we are not coordinators. ( We do not get involved in outside activities like travel, hotel booking, clothing selection etc. )

Good Marriage

First requirement of Good marriage is that Bride and Groom should like one another and should be willing to get married. No other criteria is applicable.

There is no ‘Auspicious’ time or Muhurat for a marriage. All days / times are made by God and each one of them is auspicious. The Date and time, that is most convenient for bride/ groom and their family, IS is most appropriate time for the marriage. Arya Samaj does not believe in celestial movements of planets and stars in deciding a date / time of marriage.

Marriage is an event that ties not only two people but two sets of families together. We strongly suggest that relatives and close friends should be a part of marriage celebrations. Yet, marriage is a family function, not a social or public event. Every known acquaintance should not be invited for wedding. Your guest list should not be a replica of your mobile contact list.

Reception – Social Obligation

Reception, or rather, public display of your marriage for a set of mostly unknown relatives and acquaintances is a social obligation. It is less desired by couple and more pressurized by parents. We, at AryaSamaj2.0, strongly advise to put it on second priority – either put it off altogether or celebrate is separately.

We are not against the celebrations or festivities in marriage. Haldi, Mehndi, Sangeet, Dance – are all ways to create and spread joy. These events bring families and relatives together ; they create strong bonds. But it is still a very private family affair. It is for close friends and relatives – not for public display.

Reception has nothing to do with marriage. It is a social obligation – a public announcement that your are now married. It is PR exercise here everyone is out to put their status, clothes or ornaments on display. Besides gifts and group attendance with a photographer – only other item on agenda is food.

AryaSamaj2.0 does not organize receptions. We celebrate family functions – not public events.

Don’t be puppets!

In traditional marriage ceremony, bride and groom are puppets – they hold each other’s hand, move around the fire, sit down / stand up as per instructions of Purohit ( or Photographer ). Most have no idea about ‘What are they doing and why?’ After half an hour, a sacred ritual starts feeling like a punishment. At best, it is a good photo opportunity. Everyone is waiting for it to get over.

In contrast, Vedic wedding at AryaSamaj2.0 is like a movie. Bride and groom are star cast. The perform these ceremonies but after the symbolic meaning and its reasoning has been explained to them. They don’t act – the ‘feel’ these ceremonies.

What is Vedic Vivah Sanskar

Permanent saving of pleasant and positive thoughts in the minds of bride and groom is Vedic Vivah Sanskar. It is a set of about 20 compact, focused and meaningful religious procedures to prepare and educate them for a happy life ahead.

If you wish to really experience the magic of wedding rituals, there is no better place then AryaSamaj2.0

Enjoy the traditions

Wedding brings up the biggest transformation in your life. Everything around you changes. you start caring more for another person. You long to come home early. You start sharing your happiness. your duties and your expectations towards your partner and family change.

Marriage Sanskar is a perefectly designed gateway to this new and beautiful life. It is a set of ceremonies to guide and prepare you for the journey. Each ceremony has a discreet meaning and subtle education for the couple ( and their families ). It is designed to open new vistas in your life and enjoy the unfolding of future events.

Sadly, most people are absolutely ignorant about it. Marriage Sankar for them in just another blabbering of Purohit and taking some rounds around fire. it is just a formality or photo session.

Only AryaSamaj2.0 makes marriage Sanskar an Educative and interesting experience. Each ceremony and its significance is explained to couple. When marriage vows are recited together, when parents and siblings play their part in Kanyadan / Laja home, when bride and groom take seven steps in Saptapadi – somehow like magic, both bride and groom feel the transformation from within. Their journey for life together has begun on right note.

Guide the process

Personalized cards are made for the promises and pledges to be recited by bride, groom and family members. When spoken during the ceremonies, not only are these enjoyed by all, their deeper meaning is well absorbed by families.

A beautiful personalized booklet with all ceremonies for the marriage is distributed to guest attending the marriage. This booklet helps in conducting ceremonies smoothly and ensuring that everyone enjoys it. Since all relatives and participants are informed in advance, any last minute delay is avoided.

Careful planning and detailing of activities ensures that the ceremonies are completed withing the stipulated time ( 75-90 minutes ). At the same time, nothing is left out.

Completeness is the key

Vedic marriage at AryaSamaj2.0 is complete and authentic. It is a sacred ritual. There are no short cuts. Each one is logical, meaningful and as prescribed in our ancient text – yet explained in our day-to-day language. Ceremonies can also be conducted in English. You can even choose the theme in which ceremonies can be explained to audience – it can be poetic, literary, jovial, sufy, bolloyood.

There is No extortion of money from bride / groom or their parents in the name of God or tradition. No surprise offerings are to be made to some deity or symbolic donations of money / valuable / grains to anyone.

Besides Purohit, there is a narrator coordinating the entire event. AryaSamaj2.0 is equipped with sophisticated sound systems, visual display facilities. Whenever needed, pictures / photographs / music is used to supplement the explanations.

Not to mention, AryaSamaj is the only private institution authorized to issue a marriage certification. Legal formalities towards affidavits, documents are fulfilled for the same.

Managing the Event and Auxiliaries

Marriage ceremony requires close coordination between number of people ( bride, groom, parents, relatives ) and a step-by-step sequencing of various activities. AryaSamaj2.0 plans each of these activities and associated arrangements are made.

Everything required for the function is organized by AryaSamaj2.0. This includes Jaimala, all articles used in ceremonies, Patka. Except Mangalsutra and clothes, you don’t need to worry about this area at all.

AryaSamaj2.0 would also assist you in all related activities like budgeting, invitations, gifts planning, return sweets, home ceremonies etc. However, we are not involved in outside activities like travel, hotel booking, clothes selections etc.

Often, there are social customs observed in Hindu marriages that are not part of prescribed ceremonies. These have been carried over as family traditions without any established religious significance. For example – Goad-bharai is a ceremony where elder brother of groom gifts an assortment of dry-fruits to new bride. This is also a welcome ceremony for bride.

AryaSamaj2.0 can include any if these ceremonies / family traditions in the marriage as desired by families.

Food – The Ultimate Factor

Indian Marriage celebrations revolve around food, ornaments, wedding dress, gifts and decorations. However, most discussed and area taking maximum amount of time is mostly ‘Food’. In many cases, food from a specific caterer is a pre-condition or deciding factor in marriage feast.

Food ( or rather feast ) in a marriage celebration should be in line with the grace, grandeur and emotions of the occasion. We, at AryaSamaj2.0 do not believe that the feast in marriage should be very simple or homely ( no daal-roti alone ). At the same time, it need not be the central them for the marriage celebration.

Food preparation at AryaSamaj2.0 are subcontracted to a few selected ( verified and trusted for vegetarian

No per plate Counting

AryaSamaj2.0 is NOT a banquet or a wedding hall. It is for family weddings and functions with a limited guest count of 75. In most cases, number of people attending the function are known in advance.

Most Caterers / Hotels operate on a number of plates used up in the function. The charges are pre-decided and a minimum number is guaranteed. Anything over and above the specified number is charged extra per plate.

In AryaSamaj2.0, it is the quantity of food ordered by you. We help you in estimating this quantity as per the expected number of people and type of cuisine. However, we are not in a position to order surplus food in case the number of guests exceed the specified number. For example – if you have estimated 50 guests and expecting each to consume three Gulab-jamuns, only 150 pieces will be made for the event. If everyone wants to have a little extra, some may be left with limited options.

The reverse is also true. If you have ordered for 150 Gulab Jamuns and only 100 of them were actually consumed ( this happens often ), then the remaining 50 pieces are packed with you for your next day consumption. We do not store cooked food including sweets at all.

No Recirculation / Donate Surplus

AryaSamaj2.0 is equipped to provide various choices of cuisines, but we are not a banquet hall or a hotel. Food prepared / arranged for a function is never mixed up or re-circulated for next function. Every celebration is unique and food is exclusively ordered for each event.

If some quantity of food is remaining after the function is over ( and it happens often ), it is packed and handed over to you as Prasad to be consumed later. We do not provisions to store left over food at all. It was prepared / ordered for your function and it should go with you. We do not keep / store cooked food at all.

Should you wish to donate the left overs to less priviledged members of society after the event, AryaSamaj2.0 has arrangements to call such needy people. Their blessings further add up to your joys of celebrations.

Purity, Sanctity and Elegance

Food is Vedic customs is Sacred. Even today, many hotels and caterers offer first preparations of food to God. We are in line with this philosophy. Since there is a ‘Havan’ associated with every function, an offering is always made in it.

Freshness, purity and sanctity of food is paramount at AryaSamaj2.0. Frozen, re-fried, mass produced, cold storage items are never served here. Unlike most start hotels, food is NOT made and kept in cold storage but freshly cooked and consumed.

Yet the menu can range from purely Saatwik to extremely exotic. We believe that everything vegetarian and fresh, can be served at AryaSamaj2.0. Cakes, brownies, pasta, noodles, baked vegetables etc. can co-exist with Chhole – bhature, Dal Batee and Gulab Jamuns.

Our in-house experts will advise you for an appropriate choice of dishes to suit the occasion and weather.

Zero Waste Marriage

AryaSamaj2.0 tries to ensure that there is no wastage of food in celebrations. Everything should be aplenty but nothing should be wasted.

This philosophy extends to food where left overs are distributed to needy people. We also encourage our patrons to minimize on gifts and do away with the traditions that are meant to observe only formalities. Although we would ensure that the Jaimala for bride and groom is one of the best qualities, we would discourage people to throw rice on couple. Except personal use articles, we insist that available decorations / props / lights are utilized instead of single use articles.

AryaSamaj2.0 tries to use best quality cutlery. We do not use plastic / thermocol plates at all. Napkins and certain other disposable items are necessary due to hygiene requirements.

Criteria of Good Marriage

AryaSamaj2.0 does not believe in traditional criteria for marriage like caste, social equality, even language, color , education etc. And yes, we also do not believe in Janam-Patri, kundali or position / traversing of stars in positive / negative directions.

Please be notified – we do not subscribe to or favor these philosophies – but we are not against these also. We just have a ‘No-views’, ‘No-comments’ policy for all such beliefs.

What we favour or subscribe to are three principles of ‘Gun, Karm and Swabhav’ for a harmonious and enlightened marriage. Compatibility between partners is best when these three factors are in harmony. Note that often these traits are opposite in bride and groom – yet the compliment one another. However, in most cases, bride and groom having similar views / habits on these three make way for a better marriage.

AryaSamj2.0 also does not believe in an Auspicious ‘Muhurat’ or timing for marriage. All days are made by God and all times are made by God. Whatever time / date is most convenient to the families is the best muhurat for marriage.

Moral, Social and Legal Context

Marriage is a personal choice. How can an institution like AryaSamaj2.0 ‘Evaluate’ or give ‘Consent’ to solemnizing a marriage. This is against the fundamental right of Indian Citizens.

We have absolutely no right to invade someone’s privacy or have our value judgement on personal choices made by people. Yet, we are essentially community based spiritual institution and we have our own set of ethics and value system to govern our actions and choices. We do decide to conduct marriages as per the following three criteria.

1. Moral : This is somewhat subjective criterion but the lines are drawn by us. In most cases, we would say no if the age difference between bride and groom is exceeding 10-15 years ( like groom at 40 and bride at 20 ) or there is too much difference between educational profile or family income ( like a doctor marrying a primary pass partner ). We have experienced that mostly these marriages have ulterior motives.

2. Social : We, at AryaSamaj2.0 , are for creating harmony in our society and not to divide it. In social arena, most problem cases appear when parents and family members of bride / groom ( or both ) are not in favor of proposed alliance. In such cases, we must be satisfied that parents are not kept in dark and the enough efforts have been done by bride and groom to explain their position to parents. Consent of parents is not essential but prior knowledge to them is a must.

3. Legal : Since AryaSamaj2.0 issues is legal marriage Certificate that is valid as per Indian law, we are absolutely inflexible about legality and credentials of bride and groom for marriage. Various self attested documents like PAN, Aadhar Cards, Address proof and legal affidavits are required before a marriage certificate is issued.

However, above restrictions apply only when a ‘Certificate’ is required from Arya Samaj. For conducting regular marriage Sanskars alone, we don not require any affidavits except identity proofs.

Sanskar- Uncover the Potential

Sanskar in Vedic philosophy means uncovering hidden qualities in humans. God sends every child into this world with unlimited possibilities. It is for parents and teachers to unlock, polish and realize the potential in every child.

There is no school that teaches Sanskars; no training course to acquire them. We can not even define them precisely. What are Sanskars – good manners, habits, a value system, mental conditioning, courage?. Only human beings can have Sanskars. Some are inherited but most can be consciously cultivated.

Sanskars determine our reaction to any situation. In today’s, turbulent world, Sanskars are guarantee that our children would take right decisions in life – under any circumstances.

Our learned Rishis have prescribed a set of 16 Sanskars for each human being. Vedic Sanskriti believes in building a better human being even before he is born.

Family Celebrations

And there is a special ‘Havan’ suitably designed for the occasion. This adds that special spiritual grace to every function that is missing when you plan to do such event in a hotel.

We are in for every kind of your family celebration – however, we do not celebrate any kind of corporate event, kitty party, sales confrence or exhibitions at AryaSamaj2.0.

OLT- Once in Life Time

Everyday is special but some days are more special than others.

First Birthday of a child, silver / golden wedding anniversaries, 60th, 75th or 90th birthdays – all these occasions have special emotional meanings. These happy occasions are to be celebrated with Joy and grandeur.

And these are the days to remember God – thank him that he has brought this day is your lives and ask his blessings for many such occasions in future.

AryaSamaj2.0 organizes these special occasions for you. There is an appropriate Havan with its sanctity and religious significance – and there is a suitabley designed party to entertain your friends and family.

Pre Wedding Functions

Indian marriages are a sacred ritual but loads of fun and frolic are associated with it. Most enjoyment, family bonding actually happens in pre-wedding function. We have a lot of them – Teeka, roka, Mehendi, Haldi, Engagement, Ladies Sangeet, Lagun, Shagun .. to name a few. Pre wedding functions are a primary source of creating lifelong family memories.

AryaSamaj2.0 highly recommends that at least one gathering of bride and groom’s families should be planned together. Wedding Sanskar ( Rituals for Phere, Panigrahan, Kanyadaan) are mainly for bride and groom while ‘Reception’ is for your social acquaintances and colleagues. It is pre-wedding functions that are for families and Friends.

In today’s circumstances of limited time, we suggest to ‘Combine’ many of these functions together. A gathering of 3-4 hours with families from both sides creates lifelong bonding amidst laughter and cheerful atmosphere.

Blend Tradition with Modernity

AryaSamaj2.0 blends tradition with Modernity. We preserve the sanctity and substance of of our traditions but modify the style to suit current way of living.

We have researched and selected special set of Vedic Mantras and ceremonies for every celebration. These are recited for the occasion. These mantras can be displayed on a TV screen also for all to participate. Everyone can participate in it. This is not plain karm-kand where you do an activity without knowing its significance.

The substance of a celebration would remain same but the style can be modern and practical. If one can not sit cross legged on floor to perform ‘Havan’ , why can’t he sit on a chair. If weather is too hot, then why can’t we do pooja in an air-conditioned hall. If many of our relatives could not make it to the celebration due to time / distance constraints, why can’t they be a part of this celebration thru video-conferencing.

Celebrate it together

Make the celebrations last for a little longer. Always let your religious celebration follow a family gathering. Lifelong memories and bonding are created amidst laughter and cheerful atmosphere. Family entertainments / performances are part and parcel of every family celebrations besides thanking God for bringing this day in your lives.

AryaSamaj2.0 will assist you in selecting the right theme for your occasion along with right kind of entertainment, decoration, food selection.

Leave the rest to us

AryaSamaj2.0 assists you in celebrating these events. We provide complete infrastructure, a suitable plan and all arrangements – not to forget the sacred religious elements within. An aptly designed ‘Havan’ is always a part of every celebration.

Sound system, decorations, food and catering, return gifts, dance stage, audio-video, live sharing – all arrangements are done by AryaSamaj2.0. You need not co-ordinate with any other agency for the same. Together, we can make these events memorable for all.

Organize – Throw away the Boredom

Most family functions are quite boring. Guests are welcomed at the entrance, pleasantries exchanged and then left alone to spend time all by themselves ( or focus on food alone ). Most form their own group of known faces. There is nothing to bind the guests together.

AryaSamaj2.0 strongly recommends managing and organizing every minute of this special day. first step is to get someone in family to compere the event. Every family has an abundance of talents and this is the time to display it – let someone sing, let children dance, let our uncle poet recite poetry or just narrate old funny memories.

We will help you out with everything- in making a film, training the person to compering or even getting an outside entertainer.

Make the day special

Share the memories, share photographs, recall funny and emotional incidents in life. This is the day for collecting and creating memories.

First birthday of a child should be celebrated by sharing all childlike moments for last one year – with parents, grand parents, siblings. Similarly, 25th wedding anniversary will have a journey of last 25 years travelled together. All such events should be summarized in the form of good video presentations, slides, audio clips etc.

Should you need any assistance in preparing these presentations , films , we can provide necessary support. We have adequate infrastructure in AryaSamaj2.0 to display these films as well as expertise to make such memories.

Sponsor a Meal

This is a special initiative by AryaSamaj2.0. There are many under-privileged people in our society who have never ordered a full dinner in a party type settings. Most domestic helps in our own houses have never experienced such event.

You can make your special day an unforgettable day for 30-40 of them by sponsoring and personally serving a meal at AryaSamaj2.0. We will make all arrangements – event identifying such needy people from nearby areas. you will surely get heartfelt blessings in return.

Make it Personal

While we at AryaSamaj2.0 can get professional Gazal Singers and music artists for the event, it is best to let family members participate in the function. It is not a concert or a competition but a family affair.

Every family has a battery of dancers, poets, mimicry artists, painters. Let them show their talents. Encourage them to participate – form youngsters to oldest Dadaji. Have special time slotted to honor elders – make Dadijee dance.

To make this a truly memorable experience, it is necessary to have a family member co-ordinate with event experts at AryaSamaj2.0. This requires at least 3-4 meetings of long duration to plan our the details. With our expertise and your co-operation, these events will be remembered for generations.

Keep it Private and Traditional

Pre-wedding functions are for family and immediate friends circle – not for every neighbor or office colleague. You should limit the guest list to around 60 people. More than this , it becomes a performance and not a particiapting affair.

Go for traditional celebrations. Have a dholak, daandiya, group folk songs. Advice and active participation from elders make these functions very lively. You will be surprised to see how their hidden energy is on display in these events.

These events need a lot of detailed planning – otherwise it becomes long stretched boring performances. Should you need any suggestions / accessories for the event, please contact us. We will be more than willing to make the decoration / ambience to suit the theme of event.

Birthdays – Have an Annual Blast

Birthdays, especially for children, are most awaited events for the year. For young children, the thrill of a birthday party and return gifts is above all celebrations.

AryaSamaj2.0 fully endorses this modern day Sanskar. This is a day to celebrate, remember and take blessings from God and elders.

AryaSamaj2.0 celebrates Birthdays with a unique mix of Modernity and Tradition. Your child would have all modern day necessities like cake, balloons, decoration, pizza, pop corn. And there will also be an appropriately designed Havan to be done by children and a traditional Aarti by mother. Children would get exposed to our cultural traditions and enjoy the ‘Birthday’ more.

It is your child’s Birthday. Everything should be there. Music dance, party, games, return presents..and so on. AryaSamaj2.0 has provisions for everything and plenty of space for children to play around. We can arrange everything for you – from decoration to an outside entertainer to games organizer, presents and cakes. .

Antim Sanskar

Lets support the family and Share the grief of all.

Someone in the Family is not with us anymore. God has taken him back. We need to come to terms that this is a universal law of nature. One, who is born, must necessary go back.

The realization is not easy for the bereaved family. Antim Sanskar (last rites or Dah –Sanskar) for the departed person has been done. Some more efforts are needed to alleviate the pain felt by the family.

AryaSamaj2.0 recommends a Shanti Havan to be performed for the family in about 3 days. This time should just be enough for outstation relatives and friends to come and be with the family. It should not be more than 3-4 days.

Childhood is the right time

Most Sanskars deal with childhood ( less than 5 years). Many of them like Namkaran, Mundan, Karnvedh are done for almost every child. Some of the prescribed Sanskars for children and their timings are shown here.

AryaSamaj2.0 recommends combining some of the Sanskars. For example, welcome ceremony ( Jaatkarm Sanskar) may not be possible because both mother / child are not allowed to get out of the house. Todays’ medical directives would not permit so. This sanskar can be done even if mother / child are not present in Havan.

Timings of Sanskar

Sanskars should be done within the prescribed time frame. Deviation of a few weeks is permissible but it should not be postponed beyond a limit. If baby is not named within few days of birth, everyone would call her by nicknames. Subconsciously, the child would start reacting to this name and associating with the qualities attached to it. His delicate mind will be engraved and associated with these emotions. All other Sanskars also have similar psychological implications.

Celebrate with Family

Sanskars are for the child and for the family around. Immediate family members provide the conducive environment which helps in strengthening these Sanskars. We strongly recommend that Sanskars should be done with a lot of family members and friends around.

Every Sunday is Sanskar Day

AryaSamaj2.0 has educated Purohits and complete infrastructure to perform these Sanskars in its premises with authenticity and grace. Every Sunday morning is reserved for weekly Havan and Satsang. We encourage you to bring your family and children for any Sanskar on any Sunday.. It is done free of cost at AryaSamaj2.0.

A private gathering of your family and friends for a Sanskar can also be organized at AryaSamaj2.0 on any day. Associated arrangements for food, decoration, music, Prasad can be made for the same.

Show case talents / plan activities

Best birthdays are when everyone participates in the celebrations. Let someone sing song, let another one play musical instrument, recite poetry etc. We will help you plan and execute it. You can even organize a cultural theme party with children acting as mythological characters and enact complete story on stage. .

Plan a Set of activities

Regular plain birthdays can become boring. How about an activity workshop for all participants? This can be poster painting, quiling, cake making and decorations, origami. This keeps children actively engaged and .their own creations become return gifts as well. AryaSamaj2.0 has a large hall to arrange any such activity.

Get Spoilt for food choices

Young children are not happy with traditional Poori Bhajee on Birthdays. AryaSamaj2.0 provides them everything of their liking – chips, pop-corns, burger, pizza, pasta, sandwich, noodles – whatever they wish. And with their choice of soft drinks and loads of ice-cream.

Cake Station

Cake, as such, is not part of our culture but Kids can’t think of a party without it. AryaSamaj2.0 has a uniquely designed ‘Cake Station’ especially for cake cutting and photographs. And there is an unlimited supply of fresh Pop-corns from Pop Corn Machine.

Feed Less Privileged Children

This is a noble cause and new initiative by AryaSamaj2.0. You can invite (we can arrange also) about 25 children from weaker sections of society and arrange a formal party for them at AryaSamaj2.0. They have never had such an occasion in their lifetime. Presence of your child and parents with active participation is a must for this event.

Who is it for ?

Contrary to common perception, Shanti Havan is not for the departed soul. Antim’ (meaning last) Sanskar has already been done. There are absolutely no duties left towards the departed soul.

Shanti Havan is for the family and relatives who are left behind. They are the ones who are in Grief. They are the ones who need strength and courage. Shanti Havan seeks blessings from God for the family. Friends and relatives are around to extend their support for the same.

Pagadi Rasm / Uthavna / Remembrance

Shanti Havan is not a sad but a sober occasion. Family, relative and friends are expected to share pleasant memories of their interactions with the departed member.. It is a day to reassert you belief and commitment to what the person had wished and stood for.

Pagadi Rasm – Uthavna

Pagadi is a formal symbolic transfer of responsibilities from departed person to another senior member. It is a family tradition with social reason behind it. AryaSamaj2.0 respects these traditions and arranges for them accordingly.

Formal Thanks are in Order

There would be many people who were associated with the departed person during his lifetime. It is duty of the family to publicly thank them for making the persons life more enjoyable. Special mention should be made for outsiders, who have stood behind the person in his difficult times.

Let’s Get back to Normal

Shanti Havan is also a signal to all that every formality related to this event is finally over. Now onwards, everyone in the family can resume their normal duties – service people can join their service, businessmen can start their business as usual..

Immersion of mortal remains

AryaSamaj2.0 strongly opposes the practice of immersing ashes ( mortal remains – ashti phool) in flowing river or stagnant water. By doing so, we pollute our already scarce water bodies. Last remains should be scattered in an open field. We strongly advise against going to a ‘Holy’ river or ‘Teerth Sthan’ to so. God is eternal and is present everywhere.

Formal Thanks are in Order

No Feast / No Gifts

Shanti Havan is not a happy celebration – it is a graceful and elegant social duty. Inviting many priests, unrelated people and treating them with sumptuous feast is strictly against Vedic principles and teachings. Small notional prasad is more than adequate for this occasion.

No Donations – No Gifts

Often people donate cloths, money, linen, eatable and even furniture to priest with a belief that these articles would reach (or will be enjoyed by) the departed soul. This has no spiritual or logical foundation.

As per Vedic Philosophy, future state of departed soul is entirely dependent on ‘Karmas’ done by him in current life. God’s decision in this context is always fair, just and unchangeable. There is no way, God can be influenced or bribed by our current noble deeds to grant special favors to departed soul.

Only Hindus Allowed

Marriage in India has religious sanctity. Only and only, Hindus are allowed to marry at Arya Samaj. This is a legal restriction. All couples get married at AryaSamaj2.0 under HIndu Marriage act , 1956 of our constitution.

Here the definition of Hindu is Not precise. It is more of an exclusive definition than an inclusive one. Hindus in this context essentially mean the one who is not a Moslem, Christian or Parsi. Rest are all classified as Hindus. Sikhs, Jain, Buddhists are all included in Hindus and are eligible for marriage at Aryasamaj2.0.

If a non-hindu wants to amrray a Hindu partner, he / she needs to formally embrace Hindu religion. The process is a legal one involving self declaration and specific ceremonies. Arya Samaj facilitates this process after carefully examining merits of each case.

If a foreigner wants to get married in AryaSamaj2.0, certain specific rules relating to his / her own countries would be applicable. In some cases, a formal ‘No-objection’ certificate is required. In case of Non Resident Indians (NRI), a special affidavit with their current country of stay is required.

However, these legalities are required only when the couple need a ‘Legal’ marriage certificate from AryaSamaj2.0. For conducting a marriage Sanskar ( or vidhi ) , only a signed declaration from couple is enough. We will NOT issue any certificate in this case.

Say Yes to these Marriages?

We, at AryaSamaj2.0, are strongly committed to inter caste marriages without any dowry or other ulterior motive. At the same time, we are equally concerned about our duties to preserve and protect the social fabric of our culture that views marriage as a sacred bond not only between individuals but two families and society as a whole.

Procedure and documents required for Social and Nuclear marriages are almost same. If the couple needs a ‘Legal Certificate’ from AryaSamaj2.0, certain legal affidavits are necessary. This is applicable even if parents and family members are present and participating in marriage celebrations. Should a couple wants to perform only ‘Sanskar’ ( Vidhi ) without any legal requirements, only a self declaration on plain paper is enough.

Please note that the documents are to be submitted in advance and should be valid as on the date of marriage. Post submission of documents for the purpose of obtaining a certificate is not allowed.

AryaSamaj2.0 is not answerable to any private person or institution ( except the court of law and Government agencies ) in relation to a marriage conducted by it. AryaSamaj2.0 would NOT provide any affidavit, declaration , sign any papers , disclose any details to anyone except as required by law.

Court of Pune have sole sole jurisdiction for any dispute arising out any marriage at AryaSamaj2.0

‘No’ to these ‘Marriages’

As a policy , AryaSamaj 2.0 does not participate /conduct marriage between two consulting adults if one or more of the following conditions are present. This applies to both social and nuclear marriages.

• If the bride is less than 21 years of age and the groom is less than 24 years.

• If the age difference between bride and groom is more than 10 years.

• If one of the families is very poor and the other one is very rich.

• If either of the bride or groom is highly educated and other one is not so literate.

• When parents of the bride/groom are not at all aware of the marriage or intention of couple to get married. Please note that the consent or approval of parents is not required but they must be aware of impending marriage. Parents can not be kept in dark.

• When marriage is deemed to be a secretive affair, Many times, couples want to keep their marriage hidden and use it later when parents look for an alliance.

• When marriage is being solemnized only for setting a property dispute or an equivalent legal reason.

• If either bride/ groom is studying and are solely dependent on their parents financially for their survival. Married couple (or their parents) shown be able to financially support themselves.

Run Away Marriages

Arya Samaj has been stamped with an unfair assumption that any one can run away from home and get married at Arya Samaj. We wish to forcefully state that this is NOT true. This image has resulted due to many illegal and false institutions posing themselves as Arya Samaj and distributing bogus certificates.

Arya Samaj is, and has always been, a reformist movement. We are committed to eradicate social evils of caste, dowry, child marriage etc. However, some people rename any kind of ‘inter-caste marriage ( so called Love marriage ) and use Arya Samaj as a lever to force their parents towards approval of this matrimonial alliance.

AryaSamaj2.0 emphasizes that we are against all such social evils and strongly favor ‘Inter-caste’ marriages. Yet, we firmly deny any marriage that is being done solely for the purpose of settling scores with the parents. We are as much with the parents as with the marrying couple. Consent of parents for marriage is not essential but all possible efforts to convince them should have been done before the marriage is finalized.

First condition for a couple to marry is that both bride and groom should like one another and are in complete agreement to marry. If the parents do not approve of marriage due to any reasons, both boy and girl should make all possible efforts to convince them. We repeat that the ‘Consent’ or permission from parents is NOT required, but prior information to parents about the marriage is a must for AryaSamaj2.0.

In case of non-consenting parents, both boy and girl need to meet AryaSamaj2.0 officials in person and explain the reasons. We would discuss the validity of reasons and efforts made by couple towards getting approval from parents. ( Note that AryaSamaj2.0 never gets directly involved in discussion with parents nor EVER informs anyone about the same. We fully respect the right of privacy for individuals.
However, AryaSamaj2.0 reserves the right to refuse / allow the marriage without assigning any reason.

Please – look to ‘No to these marriages’ for cases where marriages are Not performed by AryaSamaj2.0.

Documents for marriage at AryaSamaj2.0

Please – look to ‘No to these marriages’ for cases where marriages are Not performed by AryaSamaj2.0.

Procedure and Time frame

Following is the complete procedure from beginning to end for a marriage at AryaSamaj2.0

In case of Nuclear marriage ( where parents / elders are not participating in marriage ) , both bride and groom have to visit AryaSamaj2.0 in person before a decision to go ahead with the marriage is taken.
AryaSamaj2.0 can refuse to organize a marriage. This is at the sole discretion of AryaSamaj2.0 without assigning any reason.
In case of Social marriage, there are no such restrictions.
A suitable time / date slot is decided and booked for the marriage. A token advance is necessary to allocate a fixed time / date. This slot will be reserved and can not be changed.
No documents are required at this stage.
One week prior to the date of marriage, all documents are to be submitted to AryaSamaj2.0. Payment for the marriage is to be made.
On wedding day, the marriage is performed. Both bride and groom sign the register at Arya Samaj along with witnesses.
Marriage certificate is issued by AryaSamj2.0 immediately after the marriage.

If all documents are proper and the required date / time slot is available, this entire process can be completed in 2-3 days.

Marriage Legality

‘Marriage’ as for Indian constitution is “Sacred” – It is non- negotiable. It is not a legal contract between two adults. Many countries in the world treat marriage as ‘Contract’. These countries offer ‘prenuptial’ agreements clearly defining the limits , obligations and ‘Rights’ between bride/ groom and pre-agreed terms and conditions for exit.

In India ‘Marriage’ is part of our social fabric. You cannot ‘negotiate’ or bind a marriage as per your ‘terms and conditions’ ( even if both bride and groom are agreeable to it ). In short, you can ‘Walk-in’ to a marriage as per your free will but you cannot easily ‘walk-out’ of it citing any pre conditions.

Marriage in India is a religions and social custom. Couples gets married by the society, priest as per the religions act defined for them. Hindus in India get married under Hindu Marriage Act of 1956 (Similarly Christian, Muslim, Parsis get married as per the acts defined for them). A Hindu cannot be married in a mosque or a Muslim in a church.

(Disclaimer – Following information is being provided by Arya Samaj 2.0 is good faith and as generic available information collected from different sources. This is not / and cannot be used as a reference for any legal / constitutional purpose Arya Samaj 2.0 can not be held responsible for correct integration of information or any dispute arising out of its usage by any one. Patrons are requested to take legal advice from a qualified lawyer for any clarifications / actions)

Court Marriage / Registered Marriage

Often people confuse between ‘Court Marriage’ and ‘Registration of Marriage’. These are Not same but altogether different legal processes.

In India, more that 95% people get married by the society, priests as per their religious customs. This is as per an applicable legal law as per our constitution specific to that religion ( Hindu maariage act, Moslem Marriage act etc ). Here, the parents / preist actually get the couple married. Later government merely recognizes this marriage and provide a certificate. This is called registration of marriage. This is a right ( and duty ) of every citizen to get his marriage registered. Most marriages happen this way.

Above marriage can take place only when bride and groom are followers of the same religion. Marriage under these religion-specific acts can not be solemnized between people of different faiths. A Hindu can not marry a moslem in a temple or vice versa in a mosque.

If bride and groom are from different faith, they can get married under the ‘Special marriage act’ of Indian constitution. This act allows marriage without any reference to their religious beleifs and practices. This is colloquially termed as ‘Court Marriage’.

In court marriage, the government authority ( judge ) declares the couple married. Society , priest are not involved at all. While in regular religious marriage, government is only registering the marriage that has been solemnized by society / priest. Legally there is no difference between the two.

Procedure / issues in Court Marriage

‘Court MArriage’ in India is a long procedure. It take minimum of 30 days for a court marriage and this is a legal requirement.

(Please read legal disclaimer by AryaSamaj2.0 written before. In information provided is true to the best of our knowldge and is not for any legal or judicail purpose. Please consult a qualified lawyer for any doubts / clarification ).

Under special marriage act ( court marriage ), prospective bride and groom from any part of India, any religious belief can marry. Hence, in this case, court has to apply due diligence from their side. the procedure is as follows

Couple intending to get married apply to court with full particulars ( their identity, address proof etc. ).
After examining the documents, the court send information / notice to their residential addresses for verification. A copy of application is also put on the notice board for general public.
Court has to wait for 30 days for any one ( parents / public at large ) to register any objection ton proposed marriage.
If no objections are received, then the judge call the couple and declares them married. A marriage certificate is issued by the court.

Can a judge say ‘No’ to Marriage?

Judge has to wait for 30 days for any objection on the proposed marriage. During this period, if any objection is raised then the judge has to legally nullify the objection before marrying the couple. It becomes a legal dispute and may take any length of time.

For example – if during the notice period, a third person notifies that either the bride or groom have been married before or are currently not marriageable due to any reason, the judge has to take cognizance of this objection and put the marriage on hold as per his discretion.

If a couple is planning for a ‘Court Marriage’, it is advisable to engage a qualified lawyer for the purpose. In case of potentially disputable marriages ( like parents objecting to marriage or a third person threatening the alliance), it is good to be extra cautious for court marriage.

Who is ‘Married’ as per law ?

Indian laws related to marriage have become (rightly so) fairly strict in the last 10-15 years. Today, a Government issued certificate is a must for someone to prove that he / she in married. Various public and private institutions would insist on a certificate issued by a Government/semi Govt. agency as a proof of marriage. A marriage certificate today is as necessary as your passport, Aadhar card or PAN.

Is a marriage celebrated with presence of parents, relatives and all fanfare legal?

Surprising, the answer is ‘No’.

Celebration of marriage, inviting guests for reception, baraat, dance , vidhi, are just celebrations in legal terms. It doesn’t prove or certify that the marriage was actually solemnized in legal terms.

If there is no legal, Government certificate issued, marriage is not legal. Proving it otherwise becomes a legal issue. Either the bride or groom can just walk out of wedlock after 2-3 years and the burden of proof in on other party.

AryaSamaj2.0 strongly insists that every couple should obtain a marriage certificate from a legal authority immediately after marriage. An undertaking is signed by the couple during marriage. This simple piece of paper is a guarantee that legal rights of couple as individuals are protected well ( in case things do not work out well in future. )

Can an Arya Samaj Marriage be nullified?

No. Never.

Marriage at Arya Samaj is permanent in nature. It can be nullified only by a court of law by a legal divorce proceedings.

There have been cases where a marriage is performed at Arya Samaj and was not registered by couple for any reason. Later, one of the partners gets married again and registers his / her marriage. In such a case, the marriage done later is considered illegal and becomes a punishable offence.

Arya Samaj on its own, or even at the request of any of the partners, parents will NEVER divulge details of a marriage that was performed in Arya Samaj at any point of time. However, when asked by the competent Government authority ( count of law ), details are divulged by Arya Samaj.

Marrying couples should never consider marriage at Arya Samaj as a mere experiment. It is a legal process and couple are bound by the legal provisions of Indian constitution. No one should take this lightly. It is not reversible in any case.

Who can issue a ‘Certificate’?

Only and only government or a semi government legal body authorized by law can issue a valid and legal marriage certificate. Certificate issued by a Pundit, Mandir, trust or a religious instruction are “not” valid in the eyes of law.

For Hindu marriages, Arya Samaj as an institution has been given special powers to issue a marriage certificate. This certificate (only when issued by an Arya Samaj registered with the central regulatory bodies of Arya Samaj Delhi) is valid in the court of law.

Even though, the certificate by Arya Samaj is valid in the eyes of law, it is necessary that married couple register their marriage on Government and obtain a Government certificate for the marriage. Note that there is a difference between a ‘Marriage certificate’ and ‘Registration of Marriage’.

A certificate issued by Arya Samaj is just a certificate. It is legal but this information is not available with the Government. We strongly advise everyone to immediately register their marriage with Government authorities. This is easily done by Register of marriage on the basis of certificate issued by Arya Samaj.

How to register marriage at Pune

Pune is the large metropolitan City. The city is divided into 41different wards. Each ward has its own office and a marriage registrar. This office assumes responsibility of registering marriages of people residing in his ward only. For example- Kothrud ward office cannot register marriage for person residing at Kalyani Nagar.

For registering your marriage in Pune, you need to take a form ‘D’ from the respective ward office. This office is normally in the same building for property and rent registration for the ward. After the marriage is over, you need to submit this form enclosing all necessary documents (like identify proof, age proof, residence proof ) along with Arya samaj Certificate and signature of priest who has conducted the marriage. Two or three persons would also need to testify as witness. Their identity / residence proof are also required.

Word office would normally ask all people (bride- groom and witness) to come to the worked office on a specific date and time. On this day the bride & groom will be photographed and their fingerprints are taken. The marriage certificate is issued on the same day. It takes about 3-4 days for the entire process to complete.

Can a Person residing in Pune & marrying in Delhi register his marriage in Pune?

Yes and No. It all depends. The marriage registrar may refuse to register the marriage because the marriage did not take place in Pune. However in most cases, if you have a proper residential proof in that ward you can get the marriage registered. Either the bride or the groom (or their parents) should be residing in Pune to get the marriage registered.

If the bride and groom are from different cities and they come to Pune only for solemnizing the marriage, it is very difficult (almost impossible) for them to get the marriage registered in Pune.

What is ‘Registration’ of Marriage?

In India, the society, or the priest, actually gets a couple married but is not allowed to issue a certificate (or ‘declare’ you married). One needs to apply to a good agency who in thru would actually issue a certificate. The process of applying and obtaining a marriage certificate is “Registration” of marriage. This is done by the register of marriage in big cities / and by panchayat in small villages.

One can understand this process better by comparing it with the birth of a child. A baby is born in hospital. The hospital certifies and informs appropriate Government agencies about the birth of a child and relevant information about the parents. Based on this information, the Government issues a birth certificate for the child.

Many Hospitals may (do) to issue a birth certificate to parents. But it is purely a ceremonial gesture. It has no validity in the eyes of law. Similarly, a marriage certificate issued by a priest / temple is totally useless and invalid as per Indian law.

Anyone promising in India that he can issue you a marriage certificate is like someone promising a passport to you. It is downright illegal.

Who can register a ‘Marriage’?

Our country, India, being is democratic and sovereign country has provided a clear cut structure in our constitution for every possible legal need. Marriage registration is very well covered here.

In India certain matters like citizenship (Passports), Adhar Card, Income Tax, budget are governed by ‘Central Government’ in Delhi. Various other matters like law and order, transport, land registration are handled by State Governments.

All matters related to individuals like birth, death, ration card are handled by the lowest governing body of government. In large cities, marriage related matters are handled by respective Municipal Corporation. In towns or talukas, it may be with tahsildar – in villages, it is with panchayats.

And here is the catch. There is No centrally or state defined charter or uniform set of regulations or a well defined procedure for obtaining a marriage certificate in different cities, Since, by constitution, it is deemed to be a “local” matter, it is expected to be dealt locally. There are NO standard rules or procedures.

Only one rule / restriction applies to all local bodies. They can issue certificates to only and only people living in their own area of jurisdiction. A tahsildar of a small town in Patiala can make certificates for people living in his town only, – he can not issue certificates for a resident who stays in Bangalore.

And here in the main bottleneck called – “Residence Certificate”.

Documents for registering marriage in Pune.

Normal identity proof with a photo of the person (like Pan, Aadhar, Passport ) with an age proof (again passport, Aadhar, PAN or 10th class certificate) are acceptable as proof.

The real Catch is “Residence certificate”. This is quite discretionary in nature. Marriage registrar may or may not accept the evidence given by you.

Any residence proof issued by Government or public sector agency are normally acceptable – Property document, electricity bill, landline telephone bill, registered rental agreement, property tax receipt, government quarter receipt, Govt id card, Ration card are normally accepted as residence proof. Passport, Aadhar Card, LIC policy, Bank passbooks may / may not be acceptable.

Notarized rental agreements are normally NOT considered as valid residence proof. These should be registered first. Marriage register, at this discretion may accept/reject any of above proof. Sometimes a letter from employer on a company letterhead or a written certificate from a comparator is good enough.

Marriage certificate is a non partisan document. There are no two parties-hence the legal requirements are fairly flexible.

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Post Cremation Protocols

Someone is no more. The void will always be there, but the impact should not be permanent. Not because of money alone, but some of our established Indian traditions may not be appropriate for today. Contrary to popular belief, all post cremation traditions are for the grieving family which is left behind and NOT for the departed soul. God has already made appropriate decision for the soul right at the very moment when he took it away from us.

AryaSamaj2.0 recommends the following post cremation protocol.

Do not immerse ashes in flowing water

Our water bodies are already scarce and immersion of asthi phool makes it even more polluted. We, In India, call and treat our rivers as mothers ( Ganga Maiyya, Narmada Maiyya , Har Har Gange and other godly names). We should not be polluting it by these acts.

Vedic advice is to spread ‘Asthi-phool’ in an open field. The body is ‘Mitti’ and it should be united with mother earth. it further adds to the cultivating strength of soil.

No need to go to a Holy place

God is present everywhere and available all the time. There is no need to go to a ‘Holy’ place like Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, Kanyakumari, Ujjain etc. for this purpose. The atmosphere over there is not spiritual but commercial.

Make it quick – Never more that 3 days

All Sanskars / procedures in the family should be finished in 3-days ( just good enough time for distant relatives to be with the grieving family ). Prolonging grief period to 10-13 days does not mean more respect to departed soul. Life must go on – and so should be your job, your business , children’s study and all necessary activities.

No elaborate feast – only a Shanti Havan

No grand food festival is prescribed to celebrate the departure of loved ones. It is not humanely appropriate for anyone to feast on another’s grief. AryaSamaj2.0 recommends a sober and gracious Shanti Havan on third day with symbolic prasad only.