Bollywood actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is a manglik, was “married” to two trees “to ward off the evil influence of Mars” before she wed actor Abhishek Bachchan on April 20, 2007.
Her “previous grooms” were a peepal tree in Varanasi, a banana tree in Bengaluru and an idol of Lord Vishnu in Ayodhya.
While on the one hand India has sent a mission to Mars, yet on the other there is a belief that mangliks — people ruled by the planet — are unlucky. Lakhs of girls continue to have a tough time getting spouses as they supposedly bring bad luck to their husbands’ family.
Suman Raman (name changed), a Chembur resident, waited for several years to tie the knot.
However, being a manglik, she could not get a match. Finally, she decided to remain a spinster. With single-parent adoption being permitted recently, she opted to adopt a girl-child. “I was made to feel like a criminal just because I am a manglik,” she told dna.
The general belief is that if Mangal (Mars) is placed in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house in one’s Kundali (birth chart), the planet plays a vital role in one’s life, and more so in matters of matrimony.
Astro-numerologist Sanjay B Jumaani said there was nothing wrong with being rooted to Indian culture even though great progress is being made in science. “Belief in mangal dosh may be a superstition to some, but that is their personal view. The fact is that mangal dosh is real,” he said.
Though manglik girls are asked to marry peepal or banana trees or idols of Lord Vishnu made of gold or silver, astrologers ask some to “wed” a clay urn which is to be broken soon after the nuptial ceremony. This ritual, called Kumbh Vivah, signifies that the bride has become a widow, doing away with the manglik dosh problem.
Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla has mentioned on his website that while looking for prospective partners, the manglik factor has to be kept in mind during the matching of horoscopes.
The placement of Mars/Mangal in your Kundali is an important factor affecting your marital alliance. Mangal dosh, if present in your chart, can cause discomfort and tension, financial loss after marriage and other negative effects, according to his site.
However, not everyone considers themselves inauspicious. Though a manglik, Sharda Rao (name changed), 27, has been happily married for two years. “I did not marry a tree or a clay urn. Maybe not being superstitious helps,” she said.
Rubbishing claims that planets and stars affect humans, Purushottam Aware of the Andhshraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, said that there was no scientific basis for such beliefs. “The maximum effect that stars like the moon could have is on tides. Ill treatment to any girl because she is a manglik is inhuman,” he said.
