India is known for its rich and diverse wedding rituals. Recently, an age-old Hatti Polyandry tradition of Himachal Pradesh caught the attention of viewers, where two brothers got married to a single woman.

According to The Tribune, Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village in Sirmaur district got married to Sunita Chauhan, a woman from the nearby Kunhat village, in a ceremony steeped in the cultural legacy of the Hatti community, breaking the silence on a practice long kept behind closed doors.

The event, which was held with complete mutual consent and community participation, was a rare open celebration of polyandry—an age-old ritual in which brothers share a wife.

Polyandry, also known as Jodidaran or Draupadi Pratha, is a traditional practice among the Hatti community of Himachal Pradesh in which multiple brothers share a single wife. This custom, which is common in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district and other parts of Uttarakhand, stems from a desire to preserve family unity and prevent the partition of ancestral land and ensuring that no woman remains widowed. While still practiced, its prevalence is declining due to cultural changes and the impact of modern conventions.

Spanning three days, the wedding rituals saw several villagers and relatives from nearby locations coming to see this rare yet culturally significant union. Guests were treated to traditional Trans-Giri food, which included specific local delicacies often made for weddings in the region.

The atmosphere was happy, with people dancing enthusiastically to Pahari traditional songs, singing and bestowing heartfelt blessings on the bride and both grooms for a happy marriage.

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