I'm not for or against this practice but I believe op is talking about.. marriage and not just a date. But yeah, lucky Dodge there op.

This is typical indian family marriage deal

Like you would like it if you were being forced into marriage. She was probably really desperate to escape it.

It's a cultural thing mist likely. Indians are very superstitious.

A lot of arranged marriages consist of reading into each other's horoscopes.

Not much difference imo. I would guess that the social pressure to listen to their parents when it comes to marriage is so huge they eventually give in. I do not agree even with arranged marriages. People should be able to choose whichever partner they want. At least this woman was able to reject someone she does not like.