Ceremonies for a Hindu marriage
Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 deals with ceremonies for a Hindu marriage. A Hindu marriage may be solemnized in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto. The Act came into force on 18 May 1955.
(1) A Hindu marriage may be solemnized in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto.
(2) Where such rites and ceremonies include the Saptapadi (that is, the taking of seven steps by the bridegroom and the bride jointly before the sacred fire), the marriage becomes complete and binding when the seventh step is taken.
Section 7, The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Act 25 of 1955).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Gullipilli Sowria Raj vs Bandaru Pavani @ Gullipili Pavani
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The Hindu Marriage Act 1955, by its Preamble and Section 2, applies exclusively to marriages among Hindus. A marriage between a Hindu and a person professing a different faith such as Christianity cannot be solemnized as a valid Hindu marriage under the Act. The conditions specified in Section 5 of the Act are mandatory, not optional - the word 'may' in opening words indicates that a marriage may be solemnized between 'any two Hindus' if conditions are fulfilled, meaning failure to fulfill conditions precludes a valid marriage. Where one party is not Hindu, a valid Hindu marriage cannot be solemnized under the Act. Registration of such a marriage under Section 8 does not validate a fundamentally void marriage.
On this section: Prescribes ceremonies for solemnization of Hindu marriage; to be read together with Section 5
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Dinesh Singh Thakur vs Sonal Thakur
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
An anti-suit injunction restraining a party from prosecuting matrimonial proceedings in a foreign court will not be granted merely because the ground for divorce is not available under the personal law governing the parties in India, or because parallel proceedings exist in Indian courts, unless the party seeking the injunction demonstrates that: (1) the other party is amenable to personal jurisdiction of the Indian court, (2) grave injustice would result if the injunction is not granted, and (3) the principle of comity of courts is respected. The mere existence of concurrent jurisdiction and parallel proceedings does not constitute grave injustice warranting interference with foreign court proceedings.
On this section: Basis for filing suit for permanent injunction and declaration to restrain respondent from pursuing divorce in foreign court
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… On the other hand, the observation of the learned III Additional District and Sessions Judge, Salem that the Complainant as P.W-1 had not proved the claim of Bigamy especially the custom of "Sapthapathi" is unfounded in the light of Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act and the ruling of the Honourable Supreme Court 25. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act will not hold good as there is an amendment regarding various forms of marriage among Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act was amended by the State of Tamil Nadu and …
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… It is a contract because this section deals with the capacity of the spouses to enter into an alliance for a marriage. 16. To prove a valid marriage under the Hindu law, the evidence regarding the performance of marriage as required under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act must be brought on record. Section 7 speaks of solemnization of marriage with customary rites and ceremonies. The word 'solemnized' means, to celebrate the marriage with proper ceremonies with intention that the parties should be considered to be married. The Apex Court in Gopal Lal v. …
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… It is noted that the appellant/husband had assailed the judgment and decree dated 22/10/2018, passed by the Principal Judge, Family Court at Tumakuru, in M.C.No.177/2016, filed under Section 13(1)(i-a) read with Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 seeking dissolution of marriage solemnized on 23/03/1990 on the ground of cruelty. By the said judgment and decree, the aforesaid petition was dismissed. Being aggrieved, the appellant/husband had preferred this appeal. Since the appellant has died, the appeal stands abated. Sd/- …
Questions about Section 7
What have the courts held on Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act?
Gullipilli Sowria Raj vs Bandaru Pavani @ Gullipili Pavani (04 Dec 2008) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Prescribes ceremonies for solemnization of Hindu marriage; to be read together with Section 5. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below, all of them from the Supreme Court. They run from 2008 to 2018.
How do I find court cases under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Hindu Marriage Act 7, section 7 Hindu Marriage Act, section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act. People searching for it also type hma 7 day free trial. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Gullipilli Sowria Raj vs Bandaru Pavani @ Gullipili Pavani (04 Dec 2008).
When did Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act come into force?
Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, cited as Hindu Marriage Act 7, came into force on 18 May 1955, having been enacted on 18 May 1955. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 13. Divorce913 words
- 3. Definitions499 words
- 23. Decree in proceedings465 words
- 12. Voidable marriages361 words
- 2. Application of Act302 words
- 14. No petition for divorce to be presented within one year of marriage290 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.