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Time of India
20-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
What is Jodidara? Himachal Pradesh's unique wedding tradition, where a woman marries two brothers
One bride marries two brothers: In the remote and scenic villages of Himachal Pradesh, a centuries-old, unique wedding tradition is still being followed in select tribal communities. Known as Jodidara, this custom allows a woman to marry two brothers, a practice that may sound unusual to the outside world but is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and regional history. A Wedding Like No Other in Shillai Village In a recent example from Shillai village in the Trans-Giri area of Himachal's Sirmaur district, a woman named Sunita Chauhan tied the knot with two brothers—Pradeep and Kapil Negi—from the Hatti community. The three-day-long celebration, held from 12 July, was conducted openly with traditional rituals, music, and festivities. There was no secrecy surrounding the ceremony, as it was a proud public display of an age-old custom known as Jodidara, according to NDTV. What is Jodidara and Why Do Women Marry Two Brothers? Return of Polyandry in Himachal?हिमाचल के सिरमौर में अनोखी शादी सुर्खियों में! दो भाइयों ने एक ही दुल्हन से की शादी, गांव वालों ने पूरी स्वीकृति दी। परंपरा या बहस? 🤔#ViralWedding #HimachalNews #PolyandryTradition #UniqueWedding #ViralWedding #HattiCommunity #CultureBuzz Jodidara, also referred to as Ujala Paksha, is the traditional practice of polyandry in which a woman marries two or more brothers. This form of marriage is still observed among the Hatti tribe, a close-knit community living along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border. The practice is believed to help preserve family unity, prevent division of ancestral land, and maintain economic stability in the hilly terrain where agriculture is the main livelihood. Under Jodidara, the wife spends time with each husband based on a mutually agreed arrangement, such as rotating nights or weeks. The family raises the children collectively, and while the eldest brother is legally recognised as the father, all brothers share parenting duties. A Decision Made Freely and with Honour Bride Sunita, who hails from Kunhat village, shared that she made the decision to marry both brothers willingly and with full awareness of the tradition. Groom Pradeep, a government employee, expressed pride in following his community's heritage. His younger brother Kapil, who lives and works abroad, said that this marriage symbolises their unity, transparency, and shared support for their wife. A Custom Supported by Regional Law While polyandry is generally not permitted under Indian law, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has recognised and upheld this tribal custom under what's locally referred to as the Jodidar Law. This gives legal support to such marriages within tribal groups like the Hattis. The Hatti community, which was granted Scheduled Tribe status three years ago, is spread across approximately 450 villages in the Trans-Giri region. Although the tradition of Jodidara has declined over time due to modern influences, it remains alive in certain pockets. In fact, at least five similar marriages have taken place in Badhana village over the past six years. Historical and Cultural Roots of Polyandry The tradition of a woman marrying two brothers has roots that some believe go back to the Mahabharata era, where Draupadi was married to the five Pandava brothers. In the context of Himachal Pradesh, village elders claim that such marriages have long existed, though earlier they were often performed discreetly. The key reason behind Jodidara lies in land ownership. In mountain regions where farmland is limited and precious, families prefer not to divide the land among sons. By marrying one woman to all brothers, the property remains intact, supporting the survival and prosperity of the joint family system. Cultural Significance in Modern Times Although rare today, Jodidara continues to be a respected practice among some Hatti families. It provides both emotional and economic stability. Brothers sharing a wife often develop stronger familial bonds, working together on the land, sharing responsibilities, and maintaining unity within the household. Is Jodidara Legal in India? Technically, polyandry is not legal under general Indian law. However, tribal traditions like Jodidara are protected under customary law in Himachal Pradesh. This legal exception allows tribal communities to maintain their age-old traditions, even if they differ from the rest of the country's legal framework. The Jodidara tradition of Himachal Pradesh is more than just a unique wedding tradition; it is a glimpse into the region's cultural richness and social resilience. While modern influences are reshaping societal norms, this age-old practice of a woman marrying two brothers still finds relevance in the hills of Trans-Giri. For the Hatti community, Jodidara is not just a marriage custom—it is a symbol of unity, survival, and tradition. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
India.com
20-07-2025
- General
- India.com
One bride, two grooms: Himachal Pradesh's unique wedding raises many questions, know all about this custom
New Delhi: Two brothers of the Hatti tribe got married to a woman in Himachal Pradesh's Shillai village. This marriage was not hidden from anyone, but took place with great pomp and show, with rituals and ceremonies lasting for three days. Bride Sunita Chauhan and grooms Pradeep and Kapil Negi said that they took this decision without any pressure. All three have claimed that they have followed an old tradition. Let us know about this custom of polyandry of marriage in the Hatti community and why did the girl marry two brothers at once? What is this unique tradition? This three-day wedding ceremony began on July 12 in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district. The Revenue Law of Himachal Pradesh recognizes this tradition. Five such marriages have taken place in the last 6 years in Badhana village of Trans-Giri. This marriage has taken place under an old tradition of the Hatti community, Ujala Paksha i.e. Jodidara. In this, a woman marries two or more brothers. What do the three say about this marriage? Sunita, a resident of Kunhat village, said that she was aware of this tradition and took this decision without any pressure. She also said that she respects the bond formed between them. Pradeep of Shilai village works in a government department, while his younger brother Kapil works abroad. Pradeep said that we followed this tradition publicly because we are proud of it. Kapil said that even though he lives abroad, through this marriage we are ensuring support, stability and love for his wife as a joint family. He further said that we have always believed in transparency. What is Jodidara? Hatti is a close-knit community located on the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border and was declared a Scheduled Tribe three years ago. Polyandry was prevalent in this tribe for centuries. Jodidara, or polyandry, is the practice of a woman marrying more than one man. This practice is known as Jodidara or Ujala Paksha. Mostly real brothers are involved in this. Some reports say that this practice dates back to the Mahabharata period. What is the reason to marry real brothers? The village elders said that such marriages were done secretly and were also accepted by the society. However, such cases are less. According to experts, one of the most important reasons behind this tradition was that the ancestral land should not be divided, while the share of tribal women in ancestral property is still a major issue. About three lakh people of the Hatti community live in about 450 villages in the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district and polyandry is still prevalent in some villages.
