Why are weddings so significant in Indian culture?

Question

Maybe I didn't word that question right, so let me clarify a bit: Indian films and stores and music and websites all seem to be about weddings, or "shaadis". Like, here in America, we have weddings too, but we also have birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., and maybe our wedding ceremonies are less as grand as yours...

I was just wondering whether or not (and if so, why) wedding ceremonies have such huge cultural significance in your country?

And also, are people in India socially pressured to marry?

I'm an ethnic Bengali, but I'm American and strongly "Americanized" so I wouldn't have much idea ))

Thank you in advance for your replies!

Answer 1

Because every country has different culture.India is culture rich country..so you will see it's culture in the movies too..unfortunately Indian ppl are very much in to western things that's very sad.they are forgetting their own culture.you didn't really see Indian culture really in today's Indian movies..you must see some old Indian movies and you will see what is India is all about..today's movies are really misguided and not really representing Indian culture.hope this will helps..

Answer 2

It's a tradition that goes far back in time. A time that there was no Tv,cars, all that stuff we fill our time today with. So, people would tend to amplifie happenings or add more importance to (futile) things in order to fill up their time, I guess.

Answer 3

In India, weddings symbolize the start of one's s*x life (Grahastya Ashram - the life of a householder) - which is a very, very significant milestone. s*x is one of the most unique pleasures of being a living being. In America, people start having s*x when they are 14. The wedding itself becomes much less significant, as a result. Think about it - one has had s*x a 1000 times before the wedding. One can have plenty of s*x and have kids, and be a free man/woman at the same time - why marry at all? just for companionship. And of course, divorces are at a 50% rate as well. The average American has married at least twice in his life.

Since these are much less common in India, a marriage ceremony becomes that much more special and significant - Start of one's s*x life, it won't happen again and again, you are going to have s*x for the first time in your life, the bride is a virgin and so are you - think about it !!!

Answer 4

its culture and tradition. also, weddings are really fun so they like to include them in alot of things. (music,movies, etc)