ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Available for over a year

Two key aspects of marriage custom are being increasingly challenged in India - arranged marriages and dowries. An arranged marriage is often fixed up by relatives, sometimes using professional match-making services, and weighing up factors including income, age and caste. A dowry is paid by the bride's family - and it can be paid in cash or kind - maybe jewels, furniture or household appliances. The trouble is, dowries have been illegal since 1961 - so it's often described as a "gift". The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Vishala Sri-Pathma reports on why dowries - or 'gifts' remain popular. (Image:Indian Bride, Getty Images)