Matrimonial Service | Online Marriage Portals: Indian Matrimonial Sites – The Changing Context of Arranged Marriages

Arranged marriages are basically an old traditional concept of selecting a life partner particularly found in India. In India the word marriage is taken very seriously and it is considered to be the most sacred relationship in one’s life. According to statistical studies, till even two decades earlier, more than 85% of marriages in India were arranged. The process of arranged marriage can be defined as a matrimonial service that is promoted by the parents, elders, relatives and marriage broker through the use of extensive social and family networks. Sometimes third parties are responsible for appropriate matchmaking.

Context of Indian Marriages:

India is a country of various culture, caste, religion, language and tradition. The factors that went into making a perfect match were caste, educational qualification, religious ethnicity, creed, prospects of carrier, social status etc. in India arranged marriages are not just between two individuals but it is considered as an alliance between two families. In traditional context, arranged marriages were more of a practical analysis of specific criteria of matchmaking rather than emotional feelings or love. In traditional society as well as some parts of contemporary society, love is considered to be a crime and love marriages were thought to be a challenge to the hierarchy of creed, consideration of class, caste and a form of disrespect to society and class. However, increasingly the youth of India as well as other emerging nations have shown a shift towards the modern hybridized concept of arranged love marriage which provides an optimum blend of arranged marriage as well as love marriage.

Functions of Matrimonial Sites:

According to the Times of India there are more than 1500 matrimonial websites operating in the India subcontinent. The matrimonial website defines the notions of the modern version of arranged marriage in the way by creating a matrimonial profile in the matrimonial website for matchmaking. It is used to encourage negotiations in marriages. From the time a user signs up to take the services of online matrimony, they are motivated to provide information which in the conventional sense defines whether a potential alliance can be struck up with another candidate for marriage.

Holding on to Traditions:

Most of the required information is collecting during the registration process. Generally, questions like whose profile you are creating i.e for self, son, brother, friend, daughter, relative etc is asked and the answer to this question is often compulsory. This concept of matchmaking sites being spearheaded by someone other than the person concerned is a hall mark of an arranged marriage and in this sense matrimonial sites have held on to the fabric of cultural norms.

Addition of Modern Tradition with the Old Tradition:

These modern online matchmaking sites have worked against the traditional cultural fabric is the allowance for dating. Many parents allow their children to meet potential candidates selected through matrimonial sites. Sometimes young men and women take it upon themselves to use the matrimonial websites to choose potential partners with whom they can interact before selecting someone whom they really like, for marriage. In this way matrimonial websites have not only encouraged the western concept of dating but also have changed the way of selecting life partners.

Benefits of using matrimonial sites:

Online Matrimonial portals have resulted in considerable time and resource savings when it comes to searching for a life partner. Geographical boundaries have ceased to exist for a matrimonial website provides a uniform electronic platform that can be utilized by all. The hassle of hiring a third party negotiator, sending in print ads in magazines and newspapers is also vanished. Discretion is another primary advantage of online matrimony and mostly families want to keep the marriage negotiation process un-discussed until something concrete has been finalized.

Online Matrimonial websites have successfully managed to blend together modernity and tradition and help several people to find their appropriate life partner according to their choice.