One of the biggest misconceptions and fears in the Hindu society with respect to marriage is the presence of Mars Dosha or Kuja Dosha in the horoscope. Mars dosha occurs, when Mars is placed in the ascendant, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house of the natal chart. However, majority of the astrologers include the 2nd house also in the Mangal dosha list. People in whose natal chart Mars is placed in the above positions are called Mangliks.

Planet Mars in Vedic Astrology
Planet Mars is considered to be a commander-in-chief among all the other planets. It symbolizes immense courage, aggression, vitality, confidence and warrior qualities. It drives the fire of independent spirit and sense of purpose among individuals. Mars is also known as Angaraka and Kuja, meaning the burning coal and the fair one respectively. He rules over the two sidereal signs of Aries and Scorpio. He is exalted in Capricorn and fallen in the opposite sign of Cancer.

Mars is identified with Lord Kartikeya, the god of war. He is the son of Lord Shiva. Kartikeya was born with six heads and he killed the invincible demon Taraka, releasing the Devas from Taraka's oppression. The above depict the valour, strength, courage and the protective quality of Mars. Thus, Mars is known as the protector of dharma and the purpose in life, which each of us follow.

Misconceptions about Manglik Dosha
Some of the most common misconceptions about the planet Mars is that if a person is born on a Tuesday, then he is said to be a Manglik or Mars-dominated native. But it is not true. Another misconception is "double Manglik Dosha" , which is a term being used by many astrologers. There is no such term as "Double Manglik Dosha" , which refers to Mars being in any of the above mentioned houses and also in its own sign or in exaltation. On the contrary, Mars in own house or exaltation will considerably reduce the ill effects of the Manglik Dosha. The most famous misconception about being a Manglik is that if he/she is married to a non-Manglik, then the spouse is bound to die. The above can be seen in a few cases, where Mars is severely afflicted; overall strength of the horoscope also needs to be checked.

Marriage and Manglik Dosha
Manglik Dosha is primarily considered at the time of marriage. Many people consider Manglik Dosha as a bad yoga and are reluctant to marry the persons, who have the dosha, even if the dosha is cancelled in the birth chart. The nature of the troubles in marriage absolutely depends on the nature of Mars in the natal Chart and the Navamsa Chart (D-9). Also the birth chart's overall strength should be assessed, especially regarding aspects from any benefic planets on the 7th house and 7th lord.

Another factor influencing the Manglik Dosha is the age of the person at the time of marriage. Mars is said to have a maturity age of 28. For a Manglik person, the malefic effects of Mars reduce after the age of 28.

Sage Parasara's Explanation:
Parasara's Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra, chapter 81, verse 47 quotes the following:

"If Mars is placed in the lagna, 12th, 4th, 7th and 8th houses, without any aspect or conjunction of the benefic planets, then the husband of such a woman will certainly have an early death."

Also Manglik Dosha is considerably reduced, if Saturn aspects the houses owned by Mars, but subject to the other planetary positions in the natal chart. Remember that even if a person has severe Kuja Dosha, after the age of 28, the effects of Mangal Dosha are reduced.

The native has a Virgo lagna with the lagna lord and the 10th lord Mercury (exalted) conjunct with the 12th lord Sun (forming Budha Aditya Yoga), Venus (debilitated but forming a Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga) and Jupiter (7th lord). Saturn, the 6th lord in the 8th house, is debilitated but retrograde, thereby reducing any bad effects. Saturn's 3rd aspect falls on the 10th house, causing a delay in the career.

Analysis of Mars in the natal Chart
Mars being present in the 4th house should have made the native Manglik, but Mars is present in a friendly sign (Sagittarius), thereby becoming a typical case of cancellation of Manglik Dosha. But this doesn't qualify Mars as a benefic. Mars is the lord of the 3rd and the 8th house, making it act as a malefic. Its 4th aspect falls directly on the 7th house, thereby delaying the marriage of the native and also creating obstacles. An interesting thing to note is that although Manglik dosha gets cancelled to a major extent, Mars' malefic nature resulted in delay of marriage. Mars also aspects the 10th house along with Saturn's 3rd house aspect. This resulted in a substantial delay in the native's career.

In the Navamsa chart, Mars is not present in a friendly sign (Libra) and rules the 6th and the 11th houses, making it a malefic in the Navamsa chart also.

The native is unmarried as of now and although the reason for the delay can be attributed to malefic Mars, it is not definitely due to Manglik Dosha. The lagna lord Mercury is strong being exalted, but it is not able to reduce the malefic effects of Mars on the 7th house, as it is present with the 12th lord Sun. The native in such a case need not necessarily marry a Manglik, for cancellation of the Manglik Dosha.

Case Study 2: Reduction of Manglik Dosha Effects

The native has Kala Sarpa Yoga (all the planets are hemmed in-between Ketu and Rahu), but the yoga's effect is reduced due to Moon being present in the 7th house. The lagna lord is Venus, posited in the 9th house conjunct with Jupiter, which is beneficial for the native. Also the lagna is aspected by Jupiter by its 5th aspect and also by Moon from the 7th house.

Analysis of Mars in the Rasi Chart
Mars happens to be the 7th lord, also present in the 8th house. This is a case of Manglik Dosha, but a case where the Mars' malefic effects are reduced to a certain extent. Saturn conjunct with Sun in the 10 house aspects the 7th house by its 10th aspect. (7th house is Aries ruled by Mars). This also delays the marriage to a certain extent; such delay is also beneficial to the person, as the possibility of marriage for the person is after 28, years which is the maturity age for Mars. Although Manglik Dosha is not completely neutralized, malefic effects of Mars will be considerably reduced after 28 years.

Mars being the lord of the 7th house (Kendra or a Quadrant) also loses some of its malefic power. Another aspect which needs to be studied is the strength of the lagna and lagna lord Venus. The lagna is being aspected by Jupiter through its 5th aspect and the lagna lord is in a Trine (9th house). Hence, there is a reduction of malefic effects of Mars, especially regarding the marital life.

Remedies for Manglik Dosha
People who are afflicted with severe Manglik Dosha should marry a person having the same quantum of Dosha. Also such people should worship Lord Hanuman daily, by reciting Hanuman Chalisa. They should visit the temple of Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays. Another remedy is to keep an idol of Kesariya Ganapati (Orange-coloured Ganesha) in the pooja room and worship Him everyday.

There is nothing wrong in being a Manglik and Mangliks are normal people. Most importantly, Mangliks should realize that being a Manglik is not a matter to be afraid of; it is not the end of the world for them. Before marriage, it is essential to match horoscopes for the same quantum of Kuja Dosha. It is important that the astrologer analyzing the charts for marriage for a possible Manglik Dosha should be well-conversant with the intensity of the Manglik Dosha and its cancellation. He should see the overall strength of the birth chart, rather than just seeing the position of Mars and predicting that the person is having a severe Manglik Dosha.