Why two brothers married one bride in Himachal and is it legal?

India Today

20-07-2025

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 dance.The 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 tradition.advertisementPradeep, 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 border.This custom is common not only in Himachal's Kinnaur district but also in Jaunsar Babar, a tribal area of Uttarakhand.According 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 saying.Shastri 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 care.He 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 practice.HOW 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 water.The ceremony ends with the couple being offered jaggery and blessings from the Kul Devta (family deity), symbolising a sweet and harmonious life ahead.advertisementDespite 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 communities.In an interview with IndiaToday.in 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 jobs.Reacting 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
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