In a rare yet culturally significant event, two brothers from the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh’s Shillai village married the same woman under the age-old tradition of polyandry, a practice still alive in certain pockets of the state. The marriage, witnessed by hundreds and accompanied by traditional folk songs and dances, took place in the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district over a span of three days starting July 12.
The bride, Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village, tied the knot with Pradeep and Kapil Negi in a ceremony that drew widespread attention, with videos from the event going viral on social media. Both brothers and the bride stated that the decision was entirely voluntary and rooted in mutual respect. “We are proud of our culture and chose to follow it openly,” said Pradeep, who works in a government department. His younger brother Kapil, currently employed abroad, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing their intention to provide stability and unity as a family.
The practice, locally known as “Jodidara”, is legally acknowledged under Himachal Pradesh’s revenue laws. Though increasingly rare, it remains a part of the tribal fabric in regions like Trans-Giri and neighboring districts such as Kinnaur and Jaunsar Babar in Uttarakhand. According to locals in Badhana village, five similar marriages have taken place in the past six years.
Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, explained that the custom emerged thousands of years ago to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain cohesion in large tribal families. He noted that such arrangements also serve to distribute responsibilities in managing remote agricultural lands and enhance a sense of security within the family unit.
Despite a gradual decline due to rising literacy and social changes, polyandry continues to hold cultural value among sections of the nearly three lakh-strong Hatti community living in over 450 villages in the region. The ritual, known as “Jajda”, includes a sacred ceremony called “Seenj”, where local priests chant mantras and bless the couple with jaggery and holy water, invoking blessings from their family deity for a sweet and harmonious married life.
While the practice may seem outdated to outsiders, for many in these tribal communities, it remains a symbol of unity, cultural identity, and familial strength in challenging terrain.
