New Delhi: Sologamy or autogamy is marriage by a person to themselves. Supporters of the practice argue that it affirms one’s own value and leads to a happier life. An alternative term is self-marriage, but this may also refer to a self-uniting marriage, which is a marriage without an officiant. So says Wikipedia, explaining the term.
Well, India is all set to witness its first sologamy wedding on June 11, when 24-year-old Kshama Bindu marries herself in Vadodara, Gujarat. Yes, she will tie the knot with herself and the wedding will have all the trappings like ‘pheras‘ and ‘baraat‘ but without a groom.
“I looked up to see if there has been any such marriage in India, but couldn’t find any. Maybe I am the first one to do so.” “I never wanted to get married. But I did want to become a bride. So I decided to marry myself,” said Kshama in a Times of India report.
“Self-marriage is a commitment to be there for yourself and unconditional love for oneself. It’s also an act of self-acceptance. People marry someone they love. I love myself and hence, this wedding,” explained Kshama, who works for a private firm.
According to the report, Kshama’s step to marry herself was aimed at highlighting the fact that “women matter”. She said: “Some might perceive self-marriage as irrelevant. But what I am actually trying to portray is that women matter,” she said.
What is more, Kshama has the blessings of her parents. She has prepared five vows for the wedding that will be held at a temple in Gotri. She has also decided to take herself on a two-week honeymoon to Goa.
The idea first became popular in a 2003 episode of Sex in the City, when the show’s main character mused about marrying herself. Carrie Bradshaw made the declaration after complaining that her married friends never celebrated her decision to be single.
The trend has seen more and more women in the U.K., Australia, Japan, Taiwan and the U.S., walk down the aisle by themselves.
