In Rare Open Celebration Of Polyandry, 2 Himachal Brothers Marry Same Woman: ‘Proud Of Tradition'
India is known for its rich and diverse wedding rituals. These traditions vary by region, religion and community, but often involve elaborate ceremonies, vibrant colors, music, dance and symbolic rituals. Recently, an age-old Hatti Polyandry tradition of Himachal Pradesh caught the attention of viewers, where two brothers got married to a single woman.
According to The Tribune, Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village in Sirmaur district got married to Sunita Chauhan, a woman from the nearby Kunhat village, in a ceremony steeped in the cultural legacy of the Hatti community, breaking the silence on a practice long kept behind closed doors.
The event, which was held with complete mutual consent and community participation, was a rare open celebration of polyandry—an age-old ritual in which brothers share a wife.
Know More About the Tradition:
Polyandry, also known as Jodidaran or Draupadi Pratha, is a traditional practice among the Hatti community of Himachal Pradesh in which multiple brothers share a single wife. This custom, which is common in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district and other parts of Uttarakhand, stems from a desire to preserve family unity and prevent the partition of ancestral land and ensuring that no woman remains widowed. While still practiced, its prevalence is declining due to cultural changes and the impact of modern conventions.
Pradeep, the eldest brother, works for the Jal Shakti Department, while Kapil is employed in the hospitality industry abroad. Despite living worlds away, the brothers united in spirit and determination to take the holy vows with Sunita, participating equally in all wedding rituals.
Speaking about their unusual marriage, Pradeep said, 'This was a mutual decision," adding that it is about trust, caring and shared responsibility. 'We followed our custom openly because we are proud of our history."
Kapil, on the other hand, shared, 'We have always believed in transparency. I may reside overseas, but this marriage ensures support, security and affection for our wife as a united family."
Lastly, the bride said, 'This was my choice. I was never pressured. I am aware of this tradition, and I selected it willingly. We made this pledge together, and I have faith in the bond we have built."
The Marriage:
Spanning three days, the wedding rituals saw several villagers and relatives from nearby locations coming to see this rare yet culturally significant union. Guests were treated to traditional Trans-Giri food, which included specific local delicacies often made for weddings in the region.
The atmosphere was happy, with people dancing enthusiastically to Pahari traditional songs, singing and bestowing heartfelt blessings on the bride and both grooms for a happy marriage.
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First Published:
July 19, 2025, 09:54 IST
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Two brothers in Himachal Pradesh, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, have tied the knot with Sunita Chauhan in a ceremony attended by hundreds of relatives and villagers. The men, belonging to the Hatti tribe, carried the centuries-old tradition of polyandry in the Shillai village of the Sirmaur district. The trio say the union is consensual. But is the practice legal in India? read more A woman in Himachal Pradesh has married two brothers of the Hatti tribe. Sunita Chauhan has tied the knot with Pradeep and Kapil Negi of the Shillai village in the Sirmaur district. Celebrating the centuries-old tradition of polyandry, the two brothers and the woman publicly held the nuptials. The trio say they have willingly entered the alliance. Let's take a closer look. What is polyandry? Polyandry refers to the practice of having more than one husband at a time. The custom, known as 'Jodidara' in Himachal Pradesh, is followed by the Hattis and some other communities in the lower Himalayas. 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Sunita said she was aware of the tradition and decided to marry the brothers without any pressure. 'This was my choice. I was never pressured. I know this tradition, and I chose it willingly. We have made this commitment together, and I believe in the bond we have formed,' she was quoted as saying by the newspaper. How common is polyandry in Himachal? The Hatti community, present in the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, has been practising polyandry for centuries. It was declared a Scheduled Tribe three years ago. Almost three lakh people belonging to the Hatti community live in about 450 villages in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district. Five cases of polyandry have been reported in Badhana village in Trans-Giri over the past six years, reported PTI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts say the tradition of polyandry started as a bid to avoid the division of ancestral land, to ensure no woman remained widowed and to maintain unity in families. 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