How many kinds of kalyana (marriage) told in hindu religion ?
There are eight types of marriage described in the ancient Hindu text of Manusmriti (Laws of Manu) or “Manava Dharma Shastra”: * Rite of Brahmana (Brahma) – where the father of the bride invites a man learned in the Vedas and a good conduct, and gives his daughter in marriage to him after decking her with jewels and costly garments. * Rite of the Gods (Daiva) – where the daughter is groomed with ornaments and given to a priest who duly officiates at a sacrifice during the course of its performance of this rite. * Rite of the Rishis (Arsha) – when the father gives away his daughter after receiving a cow and a bull from the brightgroom. * Rite of the Prajapati – (Prajapatya) where the father gives away his daugher after blessing the couple with the text “May both of you perform together your duties” * Rite of the Asuras (Demons) – when the bridegroom receives a maiden after bestowing wealth to the kinsmen and to the bride according to his own will. * Rite of the Gandharva – the voluntary
