Himachal Brothers Marry Same Woman Under Jodidara Tradition | Viral Polyandry Weddings in India
A unique wedding in Shillai, Himachal Pradesh, drew national attention as two brothers married the same woman under the traditional ‘Jodidara Pratha’. The fraternal polyandry custom, still practiced among the Hatti tribe, highlights age-old cultural practices. The story follows another viral case of twin sisters in Maharashtra marrying the same man.
Two Himachal Brothers Marry Same Woman in Traditional Ceremony
Shillai (Himachal Pradesh), 7th Aug 2025: In a wedding that has attracted national and international attention, two brothers from Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district married the same woman as part of an age-old tradition known as 'Jodidara Pratha'.
The grooms, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, tied the knot with Sunita Chauhan in a three-day public ceremony in Shillai village, attended by hundreds of guests. The wedding was not only colourful but also rooted in a centuries-old custom still practiced among the Hatti tribe.
Jodidara, also called 'Jajda', is a form of "fraternal polyandry", where multiple brothers marry a single woman. This tradition aims to prevent the division of family land and maintain unity within the household. Though polyandry is generally outlawed in India, this specific practice remains legally recognized under revenue laws in some areas of Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking to the media after the event, Pradeep Negi explained that the custom is not unique to their village. “Jodidara is followed in parts of Uttarakhand too, especially in Jaunsar-Bawar. It’s a tradition that has helped families stay united for generations,” he said.
Kapil Negi added that the marriage was fully consensual. “No one forced anyone. We all agreed, and our families supported us. We are proud to continue our community’s legacy,” he said.
Sunita Chauhan, the bride, also confirmed she entered the marriage willingly. The trio stated that their decision was based on tradition, not compulsion.
Despite criticism on social media, the brothers remain firm. “People are trolling us, but we don’t care. We are happy and want to preserve our culture,” said Pradeep.
Interestingly, this news comes after another unusual and unique marriage case in Maharashtra, where twin sisters from Mumbai married the same man.
The wedding went viral online, prompting the registration of a non-cognizable offense. Despite the unusual nature of the union, there was no objection from either family,
According to reports, the twin sisters-Pinky and Rinky-both IT engineers, married Atul Awtade on December 2, 2022, in Akluj, located in Malshiras taluka of Solapur district, Maharashtra. The ceremony took place in a private hotel.
The wedding video quickly gained traction on social media. Following this a non-cognizable offense was registered against the groom under Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with marrying again while a spouse is still living.
Though rare today due to rising literacy and changing social norms, such practices still survive in some rural pockets of India. In many cases, they are carried out openly — and proudly.
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