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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
'We're proud of It': Himachal brothers marry same woman under age-old Hatti tradition
India's vibrant cultural diversity is globally admired, with every state cherishing traditions rooted deeply in heritage, belief, and history. One such tradition recently made headlines from Himachal Pradesh, where a rare marital custom gained widespread notice. In Shillai village of the state's Sirmaur district, a traditional three-day wedding ceremony turned heads as two brothers from the tribal Hatti community tied the knot with the same woman — an age-old custom still observed by a few. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category PGDM Digital Marketing CXO Public Policy Product Management Cybersecurity others Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking MBA Project Management MCA Data Analytics Data Science Operations Management Degree Technology Others Leadership Healthcare healthcare Finance Data Science Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details What happened? Pradeep and Kapil Negi, both belonging to the Hatti tribe, married Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village in a polyandrous ceremony. The marriage, steeped in tribal rituals and cultural symbolism, lasted three days and included vibrant folk performances and community participation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elin Nordegren Show Off Her Huge Size In New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo The couple emphasized that the union was completely consensual. 'We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision,' said Pradeep. Kapil further added, 'We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family… We've always believed in transparency.' Sunita, too, affirmed her choice, stating, 'She was aware of the Hatti custom locally called 'Jodidara' or 'Jajda' and became a part of the union willingly, respecting the bond they had formed.' Understanding the tradition The tradition of polyandry in the Hatti community stems from practical and social needs. Historically, it helped prevent the division of family-owned farmland and maintained family cohesion, especially in the challenging, mountainous terrain of Himachal. As Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, explained, 'If you have a bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society.' Live Events While such customs are rarely practiced today, they are still legally recognized in Himachal Pradesh under revenue laws by the name 'Jodidara.' This culturally significant event reflects how traditional customs continue to shape rural communities, offering insight into the enduring role of heritage in people's lives — even as modern society evolves. [With TOI inputs]
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Two brothers marry the same woman in Himachal: What is the age old custom of Hatti?
India is well known across the world for its diverse cultures and traditions, where each state has cultures woven deep into the fabric of time, belief, history, and rich legacy. Following the same traditions in Himachal Pradesh, a recent marriage in Shillai village of the state has caught national attention. In a culturally rich three-day ceremony, two brothers from a specific tribe married the same woman, following an age-old custom. Surprisingly, the decision was openly embraced rather than hidden, inviting us to know how impactfully a cultural practice can shape community values and family life in the remote regions. What exactly happened? Recently, two brothers from Himachal Pradesh's Hatti tribe, named Pradeep and Kapil Negi, married the same woman, Sunita Chauhan of Kunhat village, by a culturally important polyandrous ceremony. The three-day event was held in Shillai village of Sirmaur district and saw hundreds of villagers participate along with performances of folk songs, traditional dances, and local rituals, as per local reports. According to reports from PTI, the couple stressed that the decision was mutual and made without external pressure. 'We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision,' Pradeep shared, while Kapil added, 'We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family… We've always believed in transparency'. Sunita also said that her participation was voluntary. She said she was aware of the Hatti custom locally called 'Jodidara' or 'Jajda' and became a part of the union willingly, respecting the bond they had formed. What is this tradition all about? Polyandry in the Hatti community arose to prevent division of ancestral farmland, maintain family unity, and ensure joint responsibility in remote, agrarian settings. As Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, explained, this tradition allowed for stronger security and unity among brothers working scattered plots in the mountainous terrain, 'If you have a bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society'. Although this practice remains rare today, it remains legally recognised under Himachal Pradesh's revenue laws as 'Jodidara.' Is polygamy legal in India? Although polyandry is not legally sanctioned under the Hindu Marriage Act, customary exceptions are allowed for certain tribal communities. The Hatti people were granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2022, providing limited legal protection for such customs.
India Today
5 days ago
- General
- India Today
Why two brothers married one bride in Himachal and is it legal?
In a rare instance of polyandrous marriage, two brothers from Himachal Pradesh's Hatti tribe tied the knot with the same woman in a traditional ceremony locally known as Jodidara. The three-day celebration took place in Shillai village of Sirmaur district, beginning on July 12, and drew hundreds of guests with vibrant local music and bride, Sunita Chauhan married two brothers, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, in a traditional ceremony held on July 12 in Shillai village, Himachal Pradesh. The three-day celebrations featured local folk songs, dances, and were attended by hundreds of guests. The marriage was solemnised under the longstanding polyandry who works in a government department, said, 'We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it, and it was a joint decision.' Kapil, employed abroad, added, 'We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family. We've always believed in transparency.' Sunita said, 'I was aware of the tradition and made my decision without any pressure.' WHAT IS POLYANDRY, AND WHY IS IT PRACTISED? Polyandry—where a woman marries multiple men, usually brothers—was once common among the Hatti tribe, especially in Sirmaur. Known as Jodidara or Jajda, this form of marriage remains recognised under Himachal Pradesh's revenue laws. The Hatti community, granted Scheduled Tribe status three years ago, inhabits the Trans-Giri region along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand custom is common not only in Himachal's Kinnaur district but also in Jaunsar Babar, a tribal area of to Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, the polyandry system helped prevent the division of ancestral land among multiple heirs. 'This tradition was invented thousands of years ago to save a family's agricultural land from further division,' PTI quoted him as explained that beyond preserving land, polyandry fosters unity among brothers and preserves the joint family system, which is vital in remote hilly terrains. 'If you have a bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society,' he said, adding that the tradition helps manage scattered agricultural lands requiring long-term collective also noted that Jajda encourages brotherhood and mutual understanding, especially when brothers from different mothers marry the same woman. Economic needs and the demands of farming in far-flung areas have translated into this socio-cultural IS THE WEDDING PERFORMED?The wedding, called Jajda, begins with the bride's procession to the groom's village. A ritual named Seenj is performed at the groom's residence, where a priest chants mantras in the local dialect and sprinkles holy ceremony ends with the couple being offered jaggery and blessings from the Kul Devta (family deity), symbolising a sweet and harmonious life its historical and cultural significance, polyandry is declining due to rising literacy, changing socio-economic conditions, and evolving gender roles. Many communities now solemnise such marriages discreetly. IS IT LEGAL?The custom is recognised under Himachal Pradesh's revenue laws. The Hattis are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act and for official purposes. However, there are provisions in Indian laws to protect the customs and traditions of other tribal an interview with last year, Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of Hatti Central Coimmittee, said 'Jodidaran' will die a slow death as more villagers become educated and shift to cities for to the recent polyandry in Sirmaur district, Ransingh Chauhan, a lawyer, said the practice has been prevalent in the region for decades and stressed it was legally recognised by the Himachal Pradesh High Court under the 'Jodidar Law'."Hundreds of marriages happen through polyandry and other age-old traditions. Media highlighted the marriage in Shillai prominently and they should not be astonished as this is a regular phenomenon. The practice is being done to ensure that families stay united and lands are not divided among themselves," Chauhan, a legal advisor for the Central Hatti Committee, told India Today's TV sister channel, Aaj Tak. - Ends advertisement
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
1 Wife For 2 Brothers: Why Himachal Pradesh's Hatti Tribe Practices Rare Polyandry Tradition
Last Updated: Two brothers from Himachal Pradesh's Hatti community married the same woman, Sunita Chauhan, reviving the ancient polyandry tradition 'Jajda', drawing national attention. In a rare event, two brothers from Himachal Pradesh married the same woman, drawing widespread attention. The men who belong to Himachal's Hatti community have revived the centuries-old unconventional tribal tradition of marriage called 'Jajda'. The rare wedding event captured national attention after photos of a bride marrying two brothers in Himachal Pradesh went viral on social media. The wedding was held in Shillai village of Sirmaur district on July 12. The wedding event has brought back to life the centuries-old practice of polyandry—where one woman marries multiple men, usually siblings—which is now losing its relevance. Himachal Brothers Marry Same Woman The bride, Sunita Chauhan, tied the knot with Pradeep and Kapil Negi in a three-day ceremony that featured local folk songs, dances, and community festivities, news agency PTI reported. While polyandry is increasingly becoming rare in modern times, the trio embraced the tradition publicly, calling it a matter of pride. Why Is This Rare Tradition Practised? The actual wedding ritual is known as 'Jajda', and it begins with the bride arriving in a ceremonial procession to the groom's village. A key component of the ceremony is 'Seenj', a ritual performed at the groom's residence, where priests chant mantras in the native dialect. According to Kundan Singh Shastri, General Secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, the tradition dates back thousands of years and was originally developed to prevent the division of ancestral land among heirs. 'This tradition was invented thousands of years ago to save a family's agricultural land from further division," PTI quoted Shastri as saying. Shastri added that the tradition promotes unity and cooperation within extended families, even among half-brothers. In tribal society, he said, a larger male workforce offered not only economic benefits but also increased security. 'If you have bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society", Shastri added. The Hatti community lives in the Trans-Giri region along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border. According to media reports, five such polyandrous marriages have taken place in the last six years in Badhana village in Sirmaur district. Despite its historical roots, the unconventional custom is now fading fast due to rising literacy, especially among women, and improved economic conditions. In most villages, polyandry is no longer openly practiced and survives only in isolated cases—often discreetly. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
5 days ago
- General
- Mint
2 brothers, 1 wife: Why is polyandry practiced by Himachal Pradesh's Hatti tribe and what is it called
An atypical tradition of Hatti community is in the limelight after wedding photos of a bride, who married two grooms, went viral. This unusual wedding took place in Himachal Pradesh. While many from the community no longer follow this outdated practice, this trio embraced the age-old polyandry tradition. The woman named Sunita Chauhan tied the knot with two brothers in Himachal's Shillai village on July 12 in a regular ceremony. The three-day wedding festivities involved local folk songs, dances and hundreds of guests, PTI reported. The grooms Pradeep and Kapil Negi solemnised the marriage under the anachronistic tradition of polyandry. This polyandry tradition of Hatti community, declared as Scheduled Tribe, is recognised by Himachal Pradesh's revenue laws and is known as "Jodidara". This tradition is prevalent in Kinnaur, a tribal district of Himachal Pradesh and Jaunsar Babar, tribal area of Uttarakhand. The unconventional tribal tradition of marriage is called 'Jajda' locally. The bride is escorted to groom's village in a procession and the ritual known as "Seenj" which is performed at the residence of the groom. One of the main reasons why this tradition came into existence was to ensure that the ancestral land was not divided after marriage, PTI reported citing expert view. While tribal women's share in the ancestral property is a contentious issue, polyandry continues to be a practising tradition in some villages in a clandestine manner. According to general secretary of Kendriya Hatti Samiti, Kundan Singh Shastri, this tradition was invented thousands of years ago to save a family's agricultural land from further division. The Hatti community leader further noted that Jajda tradition promotes brotherhood and mutual understanding in a joint family setup, PTI reported. Understanding deepens when two or more brothers, including those born from different mothers, marry a single bride, Kundan Singh Shastri said. The third reason the general secretary mentioned for the prevalence of Jajda is 'security' while he emphasised that it also helps in managing scattered agriculture lands. The economic needs have translated to socio-cultural practices as the far-flung farming lands in hard hilly areas require a family for a long-time care and cultivation. "If you have bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society", PTI quoted Kundan Singh Shastri as saying. Thus, the above-mentioned reasons have kept the thousand-year-old polyandry practice still alive. However, with increasing literacy among women and economic uplift of communities, polyandry cases are on massive decline.
