A Hindu marriage

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, was framed by the government to amend and codify the existing Hindu marriage laws. The Act extends to the whole of India except for the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is applicable to all Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs domiciled in the territories under the Act.

A Hindu married couple is expected to live together and make every endeavor to live happily with each other during the course of the marriage. Fulfilling their conjugal rights is one of the pillars of marital harmony in Hindu law.

For many purposes such as marriage, adoption, succession and dissolution of marriage, Hindus in India follow the laws as revealed in the Vedas and through divine commentaries. Courts in India recognize the Vedas as a source of divine law because the Vedas are believed to be divine. Hindus believe that the Vedas were revealed to sages and ascetics. These revelations were made to guide people through different phases of life as explained in the Vedas.

Hindu Law: Traditional Sources

The traditional sources of Hindu law are:

Beliefs govern the way marriages are solemnized under Hindu customs that are followed across regions. However, Hindu law makes it simpler to understand what ceremonies are vital and what happens in case a spouse converts to another religion.