Gotra is a concept of patrilineal classification, which identifies the families of a caste. The weddings in India are fixed as per the Gotra of the bride and groom. Gotra matching is one of the most important concerns in Hindu matrimony. There is a stronger belief about wedding in similar Gotra, as it is strictly prohibited. Hindus are very conservative about the caste system and Gotra.
It is believed that the Gotra system was started among Brahmins, which was a system to classify and identify the families in the community. The Gotra are descents from ‘Saptarishi’, meaning 7 sages. The seven sages are Angirasa, Atri, Gautam, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Vasistha, and Bharadwaja. The Vedas mention about the respective hymns stand in the names of the rishis. As per the ancient beliefs, the classification of Gotra came into existence during the Vedic period. This custom was established by Aryans to avoid marriages between blood relatives, and thus established strict rules to determine who can marry which lineages.
During the Vedic times, the Gotra system was established to identify the ancestors of the particular clan. During the wedding and other ceremonies, the names of the ancestors are taken with respect and are worshipped. During the rituals, the father and ancestors are given homage and are honored. According to Vedic rituals and sayings, wedding in same Gotra is not allowed to avoid impure matrimony. However, youngsters do not believe in such age-old rituals and customs, and are marrying irrespective of religion, caste or Gotra.
However, as per scientific researches, it is proved that marriage between blood relatives can lead to abnormal offspring due to genetic mismatches and hybrid DNA combinations. The Gotra system was particularly defined by around 4th century BC to accommodate changed social rules and laws. With the passage of time, this system became the top most concern for finalizing a wedding, and is now a well-established system even in the modern society.
The change of lifestyle and acceptance of love marriages by the society also could not help the conservative nature of the elders of the community. The elders of various castes and Gotras are quite adamant about same Gotra marriages. In the Hindu matrimony, people are very rigid, and have taken various measures to prevent wedding between people of same Gotra. The latest is Maha Panchayat held by the ‘Khap’ Gotra, which reiterated that marriage between people of same Gotra clan is never permitted.
Like every statement, there is also an exception, where the descendents of Bhrigu and Angirasa cannot marry, because of the same Pravara Rishis, which are common to the two individuals. This explains that the ganas of Bhrigus and Angirasas are considered individual exogamous units.
In the Hindu Matrimonial, it is necessary to inquire about the clan and lineage of the bride and groom, before finalizing any wedding alliance. It is believed that wedding between same Gotra will lead to destruction of the family and clan, and if the bride and groom belong to different Gotras, their alliance will bring happiness, prosperity and progeny to the family. The Astrology and numerology specialists have described another angle of this belief. They state that the longitudes of the respective lagnas of the bride and groom from the different Gotra, impart excellent effects on their lives.
With due course of time, almost all the castes in the Hindu society adopted the concept of family classification among themselves. The girl belongs to her father’s Gotra until her wedding, and then becomes member of his Husband’s Gotra after wedding. As per Vedas, the boy only belongs to his paternal Gotra for his entire life in Hindu matrimony or any other matrimony.