Two Brothers, One Bride: Himachal Wedding Revives Rare Polyandry Tradition with Pride
Two Brothers, One Bride: Himachal Wedding Revives Rare Polyandry Tradition with Pride
In a bold revival of an age-old tradition, two brothers from Shillai village in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district recently married the same woman — and did so with openness, mutual consent, and full community participation.
Pradeep Negi, employed with the Jal Shakti Department, and his younger brother Kapil Negi, who works in the hospitality sector abroad, tied the knot with Sunita Chauhan from nearby Kunhat village. The ceremony wasn't just a wedding — it was a public celebration of the Hattee community's rare and fading tradition of polyandry, where brothers share one wife.
“This was our joint decision,” said Pradeep. “It’s about trust, care, and shared responsibility. We’re proud of our roots and wanted to honour them openly.”
Kapil echoed the sentiment: “Though I live abroad, this marriage means we’re united as one family — emotionally and in support for our wife.”
Sunita, the bride, shared her full support and choice: “I wasn’t pressured. I knew of this tradition and embraced it willingly. This is a bond we’ve chosen together.”
While such practices still exist discreetly in parts of Himachal's Trans-Giri belt, this wedding stood out for its openness. “There are over three dozen families in our village with similar arrangements,” said local resident Bishan Tomar, “but most keep it quiet. This one was celebrated with honesty and dignity.”
The unique wedding lasted three days and drew hundreds of guests who were treated to a festive spread of local delicacies. More than just a wedding, it was a cultural statement — one that reaffirmed a centuries-old tradition with pride, choice, and community spirit.
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