In a remote village of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, two brothers from the Hatti community married the same woman, reviving a rare and culturally significant tradition of polyandry.
According to details, the ceremony took place in Shillai, a village in the Trans-Giri region, and drew over 100 attendees. The three-day event began on July 12, when Sunita Chauhan formally entered into marriage with Pradeep and Kapil Negi. The union, described by observers as an echo of a now-diminishing custom, was reported in sections of the Indian media.
Traditional folk songs, ritual dances and sacred customs marked the occasion, which has since gained widespread attention through social media.
The bride and both grooms emphasised that the decision was mutual and made without coercion. “I was aware of the tradition and accepted it willingly,” said Sunita, who is from Kunhat village. “I respect this relationship,” she added.
Pradeep, a government employee, stated: “We are proud to follow our tradition openly.” Kapil, who works abroad, noted: “Although I live away, this marriage brings stability, support and love to our wife, forming a complete family.”
Locally, such unions are referred to as Jodidara marriages. While polyandry is no longer common, it remains legally recognised under Himachal Pradesh’s revenue laws. Though the custom is now rare, it continues in isolated areas. In Badhana village alone, five such marriages have been recorded over the past six years.
The Hatti community, granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2022, numbers around 300,000 people living across roughly 450 villages in the Trans-Giri belt. Though the practice of polyandry has declined, it survives discreetly in remote parts. Similar customs once existed in Jaunsar Bawar (Uttarakhand) and Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh).
Elders in the village remarked that while such marriages are now often conducted quietly, they remain socially accepted. Scholars suggest the origin of the tradition lay in efforts to preserve land ownership, with brothers marrying the same woman to avoid division of ancestral property. However, they also point out that the issue of inheritance rights for women in the community remains a pressing concern.
