2 brothers, 1 bride: Hatti youth revive polyandry in HP
KULLU: A woman has married two brothers in the remote trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district, drawing cheers from the local Hatti tribe for upholding their traditional ways.
Pradeep and Kapil Negi, brothers from Shillai village, wed Sunita Chauhan of Kunhat village in a three-day ceremony that ended on July 14. The trio shared the wedding stage, danced to traditional folk music, and received blessings from village elders as hundreds of relatives and locals looked on - in a rare public affirmation of the ancient custom of polyandry.
Pradeep works with Jal Shakti department. Kapil is employed in the hospitality sector overseas.
Sunita is a trained technician from an industrial training institute (ITI).
"This is not just a marriage - it's a moment of pride," said Hira Singh, a relative of the grooms. "Our educated youth have shown the courage to embrace what many keep secret. They've set an example."
Polyandry remains a socially accepted practice among the Hatti community, which numbers about 300,000 in Sirmaur and is spread across five tehsils and 154 panchayats, including Shillai, Sangrah, Kamrau, Rajgarh, and Nohradhar.
Amichand Kamal, president of Kendriya Haati Samiti said, "Polyandry was the norm in tribal societies as it protected land holdings and avoided widowhood. A woman has more freedom-she can choose her husbands and leave them without stigma."What made this wedding stand out wasn't the custom - but its visibility. "Polyandry may seem primitive to outsiders, but it's legal in our context. Usually these marriages happen quietly," Kamal said.
"But this one was public. That makes it powerful."
The tradition was once widespread across tribal belts like Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. But as nuclear families grew and youth migrated toward city jobs, the practice withered.
"It has nearly vanished in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur," said Shamsher Singh, a research scholar on folk art from Lahaul-Spiti. "But in trans-Giri and Jaunsar-Bawar of Uttarakhand, it survives, largely because of the Mahabharata's cultural imprint."
Many Hattis believe they descend from the Kauravas or Pandavas. "That belief still echoes in our valleys," Singh said. That belief is more than a custom - it's a legacy. Once in a while, that legacy walks down the aisle to a folk tune.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal brothers who married same woman open up on relationship: ‘Sole purpose of marriage was…'
Weeks after a bride married two grooms in a rare 'Hatti' traditional marriage in Himachal Pradesh, the two brothers have opened up on the ceremony and the public criticism on social media. Two Hatti tribe brothers marry the same woman in a traditional polyandry ceremony in Himachal Pradesh's Shillai village.(X-@BalbirKumar23) The two brothers- Pradeep and Kapil Negi, from the Hatti tribe of Himachal, said that the 'Jodidar Pratha' has been going on for generations and that the tradition was not imposed upon them. "This Jodidar Pratha has been going on for generations. It is not that we married under the tradition for the first time. It has been practised in the past and continues to be practised at present," Pradeep Negi said in a video, posted on Facebook. His brother, Kapil Negi, said that the three married with their consent and it was their mutual decision. Also Read: 1 wife, 2 brothers as husbands in this Himachal wedding: What's the rare tradition and why is it practised? "In other states, there are traditions that are imposed on the people. But we don't have any such tradition. We are not forced to follow the tradition. We got married with our consent. It was our mutual decision," Kapil said. The two brothers from the Shillai village in Himachal's Sirmaur district married the same woman in a rare polyandrous ceremony, locally known as 'Jodidara'. The rare marriage which began on July 12, not only drew hundreds of villagers, but was also the topic of widespread discussion on social media. Though polyandry is rare in Himachal, the Jodidara practice continues to be recognised under the state's revenue laws. Meanwhile, the brothers said that the practice is not only restricted to Himachal, but continues to be practised in the Jaunsar-Bawar area of Uttarakhand. Also Read: Himachal woman opens up about her marriage to two brothers in rare tradition: 'I was…' Pradeep Negi, while speaking on the rare tradition, said that the brothers and the bride agreed to the marriage and it was not imposed upon them. "In this marriage, all the three of us agreed to it (marriage). Both families were ready for the marriage," he said. He also said that the three have received abusive reactions to their photos and videos on social media, adding "we are happy with our lives." "Many people are abusing us on our photos and videos on social media. I want to tell them that, don't think that you are abusing me. We are happy with our lives. We are promoting our tradition and culture," Pradeep added. Pradeep also said that they come from a poor family. His brother, added, that they didn't get married to become famous. "We didn't had any intention of making the (Facebook) page. We didn't married with the intention of getting famous. The news went across India. We married in a normal way," Kapil said. Adding to that, Pradeep said, "The sole purpose of this marriage was to remain together and continue to love each other. We pray that the love between the brothers continue," he added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025: Bhadra kaal shubh muhurat, puja vidhi and rules to tie Rakhi on brother's hand
PC: pexel For most people, they love or hate their brothers or sisters but they can't really ignore them. And celebrating this unique, love-hate bond between brothers and sisters, each year Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by Hindus across the world. Raksha Bandhan is one of the most cherished festivals in India, and it is often celebrated by people of different faiths too. The term Raksha Bandhan comes from two Sanskrit words: "Raksha" meaning protection, and "Bandhan" meaning bond. On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread on their brothers' wrists. This symbolises a sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. It's not just about the relationship between biological siblings— it also celebrates any protective and affectionate bond between two people. Why is Raksha Bandhan celebrated? Raksha Bandhan, also popularly called Rakhi, has roots in several historical and mythological stories. One of the most popular legends comes from the Mahabharata, where Draupadi tied a strip of cloth to Krishna's bleeding finger, and in return, Krishna promised to protect her always. In another tale, Queen Karnavati of Mewar sent a rakhi to Emperor Humayun, seeking his protection during a time of war. These stories highlight the emotional strength and sacredness of the rakhi— the thread that binds love, trust, and protection. When is Raksha Bandhan celebrated: Bhadra kaal shubh muhurat Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Shravana, which usually falls in August. And so, in 2025, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 9 (Saturday). According to Drik Panchang, the Bhadra kaal and shubh muhurat for Raksha Bandhan 2025 is as follows: Time of Raksha Bandhan ritual- From 05:47 A.M. 01:24 PM Duration- 07 hours 37 minutes On the day of Raksha Bandhan, Bhadra ended before sunrise. Purnima Tithi starts -August 08, 2025 at 02:12 PM Full moon date ends -August 09, 2025 at 01:24 PM How is Raksha Bandhan celebrated: Puja vidhi and rules to tie Rakhi on brother's hand On the day of Raksha Bandhan, sisters perform a special ritual for their brothers. Here's a simple guide for you to follow: Raksha Bandhan Puja Vidhi (step-by-step ritual) ರಕ್ಷಾ ಬಂಧನ - PC: unsplash 1. Prepare the Rakhi thali (plate) with the following items: - Rakhi - Roli (red vermilion powder) - Akshat (rice grains) - A small diya (lamp) - Traditional Indian sweets like laddoo or barfi - Incense sticks 2. Light the diya in the thali to purify the space and invoke blessings from the deities-- and so, no puja is complete without lighting the diya. 3. Apply tilak The sister applies a small tilak of roli and rice on the brother's forehead. It symbolises her prayer for his long life and prosperity. 4. Perform a small aarti of the brother with the diya in the thali, moving it in a circular motion in front of him. 5. Tie the Rakhi on the brother's right wrist while chanting a traditional mantra or silently praying to God for his protection. 6. Feed your brother a traditional Indian meethai with love and affection. 7. In return, the brother now offers a gift or money and promises to protect his sister always. Rules to tie Rakhi on brother's hand 1. Always tie the Rakhi on the right wrist of the brother, as it is considered auspicious. 2. Both siblings should bathe and wear clean clothes before the ritual. The Rakhi puja is usually performed in the morning or during the auspicious muhurat. 3. While performing the Rakhi ceremony, it is advised to sit facing East or North directions for positive vibrations. 4. Raksha Bandhan should not be celebrated during Bhadra Kaal (inauspicious time). Always check the correct muhurat (timing) for Rakhi tying. 5. Have a pure mind and heart as the ritual is all about sibling love and respect. Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful reminder of love, protection, and the value of family bonds. It continues to hold emotional and cultural significance across generations and geographies, bridging distances with heartfelt traditions.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
All 354 villages in Dakshina Kannada declared Open Defecation Free Plus
All 354 villages in Dakshina Kannada have been declared Open Defecation Free Plus up to August 4, as per Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen). All these villages have Solid Waste Management arrangements, and 337 villages have grey water management arrangement, the Union Government told the Lok Sabha on August 7. In response to a starred question by Captain Brijesh Chowta, member from Dakshina Kannada, Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil stated that 8,476 individual household latrines (IHHLs) were built in the district till August 4, 2025 since the launch of SBM (G). Of these, 36 latrines were built during 2024-25. Progress of solid waste management in Dakshina Kannada (as on August 4, 2025) Components No. of Units Segregation shed 256 Waste Collection vehicle 197 Community Compost pits 251 GOBARdhan 3 Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs) 4 Progress of liquid waste management in Dakshina Kannada (as on August 4, 2025) Components No. of Units Individual soak pit 15,388 Kitchen Garden 2,71,444 Community soak pit 938 (Source: Union Ministry of Jal Shakti's reply in Lok Sabha on August 7, 2025) The Minister said that 196 Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs), including one constructed during the last financial year, were built in the district since the launch of SBM (G). In the criteria to declare ODF Plus villages, the ministry defined an ODF Plus village 'as a village which sustains its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, ensures solid and liquid waste management, and is visually clean'. SBM (G) Phase II The major interventions envisaged under SBM(G) Phase-II for solid waste and liquid management are management of organic waste through composting or bio-gas plants (GOBAR-dhan projects); provision for collection and storage of non-biodegradable (plastic) waste and material recovery facility; management of grey water through soak pits or leach pits, wherever possible, or through other technologies, such as waste stabilisation ponds, Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), wherever needed, through co-treatment in existing Sewage Treatment Plant facilities in nearby urban/rural areas, or trenching or setting up of FSM plant, as required, the Minister said. Eight more FSTPs under construction He said that faecal sludge management is being done through faecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP). The district has two FSTPs and eight more are being constructed. Referring to third-party verification, the Minister said that Karnataka government has intimated that an inter-taluk verification team has been constituted in the district to assess ODF Plus model villages, as per the guidelines of SBM(G). In addition, the Minister said, 'Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) have been established in gram panchayats to ensure community participation. Additionally, National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) Sanjeevini Women's Self-Help Groups have been engaged in managing solid and liquid waste, with support from local non-government organisations (NGOs) in implementing SBM(G) activities.' Fund utilisation The Minister said that all funds released to the district by the Union Government under SBM (G) for the last three financial years were utilised. The government had released ₹1.53 crore for 2024-25, ₹3.16 crore for 2023-24, and ₹8.30 crore for 2022-23. Convergence with MGNREGA Implementation of SBM(G) activities in the district was effectively supported through convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 14th and 15th Finance Commission grants, gram panchayats' own-source revenue, district and taluk panchayat development funds, the District Mineral Fund, and Corporate Social Responsibility contribution from private entities, the Minister said.
