Shillai, Himachal Pradesh: In a rare and ancient custom, two brothers from the Hatti tribe in Shillai village, Himachal Pradesh, have jointly married one woman. The unique wedding ceremony, witnessed by hundreds of people, has garnered significant attention, with videos of the event going viral across the internet.
The bride, Sunita Chauhan, and the grooms, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, stated unequivocally to the media that the decision was made without any pressure. “We were aware of the custom, and I made this decision without any coercion,” said Sunita Chauhan.
The wedding rituals, which commenced on July 12th, spanned three days. The custom, locally known as ‘Jodidaar’, is legally recognized under Himachal Pradesh law. National media outlets have reported that five similar marriages have taken place in the nearby Badhan village within the last six years, highlighting the continued practice of this tradition.
Pradeep, from Shillai village, is a government employee, while his younger brother Kapil works abroad. Pradeep expressed pride in upholding this custom, emphasizing that it was a collective decision. “We are proud to follow this tradition, and it was a joint decision,” he stated.
The Hatti community, residing along the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, was declared a Scheduled Tribe three years ago. Polyandry, the practice of one woman having multiple husbands, has been prevalent within this tribe for centuries, passed down through generations.
