Matching horoscopes of the bride and groom before marriage is common in north India as well as south India. Varna Koota (वर्ण कूट)  method for match making is used in both north and south India, but there are some differences in its application in the two regions. Here we will learn about the method of  Varna Koota in north India and south India.

Vedic astrology divides the signs in four different castes known as Brahman, Kshatriya, Vashya and Shudra. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are placed in the first category; Aries, Leo or Sagittarius are in the second category; Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are placed in the third category and Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are placed in the last category. According to the north Indian method, kundalis of bride and groom are matched on the basis of the categories in Varna Koota of Asht Koota.

Under Varna Koota, if the birth signs are in the same category then it will be auspicious. If the caste of woman is lower than the caste of man then it will be average. But if the caste of woman is higher than the caste of man then it will form an inauspicious situation.

Now we understand that signs have special importance in the north Indian method. Here predictions are on the basis of signs.

In the south Indian method, Nakshatras have superiority for predictions. The castes according to Nakshatras are mentioned in the “Madhviyam”, the mythological book. In south India, horoscopes are matched on the basis of Nakshatras, which are divided into different four castes under Varnakoota.

In the south indian method, Nakshatras are divided into four castes from Ashwini to Revathi. They are divided in series, four up to down and four down to up. Firstly count four Nakshatras from Ashwini to Rohini then Mrigshira to Pushya. They will be put into four castes in series.

In the division of Nakshatras in castes, Shudra will get 6 Nakshatras and others will get seven Nakshatras each. The method of prediction of south India is similar to the north Indian method. If the Nakshatras of the bride and groom are in the same caste then it will be a good combination. If the Nakshatra of the woman is lower than the Nakshatra of man then it will be normal but, if the Nakshatra of woman is high than the Nakshatra of man then it will not be auspicious for marriage.