'We are proud of it': Two Himachal brothers marry same woman in tribal polyandry tradition; video viral

NEW DELHI: In a rare yet culturally rooted event, two brothers from Himachal Pradesh’s Hatti tribe have married the same woman, reviving an age-old tradition of polyandry.

The ceremony took place in Shillai village of Sirmaur district’s Trans-Giri area, with hundreds attending the three-day celebration that began on July 12.


The bride, Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village, married Pradeep and Kapil Negi in accordance with the tribal custom known as "Jodidara", which is recognised under Himachal Pradesh’s revenue laws.



“I made this decision without any pressure. I respect the bond we have formed,” Sunita told PTI. Pradeep, who works in a government department, and Kapil, employed abroad, said the marriage was a joint, transparent decision. “We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it,” Pradeep told PTI. Meanwhile, Kapil said, “We’re ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family.”

Videos from the wedding, which featured local folk music and dance, have gone viral on social media, drawing attention to the once-prevalent tradition.

The Hatti tribe, a close-knit community living along the Himachal-Uttarakhand border, was granted Scheduled Tribe status three years ago. Polyandry, though rare now, is still practised in parts of the region including Trans-Giri, Jaunsar Babar in Uttarakhand, and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.

According to village elders, such marriages continue discreetly and are accepted socially, though fewer in number due to growing literacy among women and economic development.

Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of Kendriya Hatti Samiti, explained the tradition’s roots to PTI. “Polyandry helped prevent the division of ancestral land, encouraged brotherhood, and ensured a feeling of security in tribal life. It was also practical for managing scattered farmlands in the hills,” he said.

In the Hatti tradition known as "Jajda", the bride arrives in a procession to the groom’s home where rituals including "Seenj" are performed. A local priest chants mantras, sprinkles holy water, and offers jaggery to the couple, blessing them with sweetness in their married life from the family deity.


(with inputs from news agency PTI)