A new wedding season is starting in India, which, according to forecasts from the Confederation of Commerce, will bring a record 70 billion dollars to the country's economy. In Indian culture, a wedding is not just a holiday, but a major life event, for which families prepare for decades, starting to save money from the moment their children are born. This is reported by snob.ru.

Traditionally, the wedding season coincides with the end of the agricultural season, when the weather conditions are favorable for large-scale outdoor celebrations. This season, which lasts until mid-December and resumes in January, is filled with numerous ceremonies, including various rituals, dance programs and lavish feasts.

Analysts predict a significant increase in the number of weddings – up to 4,8 million this year compared to 3,5 million last year. This jump is explained by the increase in the number of astrologically favorable dates, which play a key role in choosing a wedding day. This season there will be 18 such days, which is 7 more than the year before.

Indian wedding budgets range from modest to incredibly luxurious. For wealthy families, the average cost of a celebration reaches 30 million rupees (about 360 thousand USD). More economical options cost about 3,5 thousand, and middle-class weddings require expenses in the range of 100-150 thousand USD per family.