Two brothers from Himachal Pradesh’s Hatti tribe have married the same woman in a traditional polyandry ceremony, with the community celebrating the revival of their ancient practice.
In a celebration that has drawn widespread community support across Himachal Pradesh, two brothers from the Hatti tribe married the same woman in Shillai village, proudly embracing their community’s centuries-old polyandry tradition. The unconventional wedding, witnessed by hundreds of enthusiastic villagers, has become a symbol of cultural pride and heritage preservation.
Sunita Chauhan became the bride to two brothers, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, in a three-day celebration that began on July 12, defying contemporary marriage conventions. The wedding featured traditional folk songs, dances and rituals specific to the Hatti community, with videos from the ceremony going viral across social media platforms.
What makes this union particularly striking is the participants’ modern backgrounds. Pradeep works in a government department while Kapil holds a job abroad, challenging stereotypes about who practices such traditions. All three parties insist they made the decision without any external pressure, emphasising their voluntary commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.
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While polyandry remains largely taboo across India and is often viewed as archaic by mainstream society, the Hatti community links their practice directly to the Mahabharata, where Draupadi married the five Pandava brothers. This connection gives their tradition deep mythological roots. The practice, known locally as “Jodidara”, is officially recognised under Himachal Pradesh’s revenue laws.
The Hatti community has rallied behind the union, viewing it as a powerful statement of tribal identity and cultural continuity. Community elders and younger generations alike have expressed pride in seeing their traditions honoured openly, with many calling it a moment of cultural awakening.
The Hatti community’s celebration of polyandry represents a bold assertion of tribal identity and cultural pride. As traditional practices find renewed acceptance, this marriage highlights the community’s determination to preserve their heritage while navigating the modern world.
Local celebrations continue as the community embraces this symbol of cultural resilience.
