Hindu Culture - Relevancy of Marriage in Modern Times

In Hindu culture, marriage is a recognized ritual that every Hindu should practice once they step into adulthood. However, in these changing times, due to exposure to multi-cultural diversity, marriage as a pragmatic paradigm, is losing ground. Now, people around the world have found alternative esoteric ways to stay together yet not getting married. But all these alternative methods cannot compete with marriage from benefits point of view. Most of the times, one can see people arguing during a kafeeklatsch about the merits of marriage while appreciating a touché from their wives. As a kid born in mid-19th century in a country that vouch for socialism, I personally believe marriage has its own importance and people around the world have to follow it unquestionably until they find a suitable mechanism to replace it.