Who is Sunita Chauhan? Hatti Bride Marries Two Brothers in Himachal

An uncommon tradition from the Hatti community has recently drawn attention after wedding photos of a bride marrying two brothers went viral. This unusual marriage ceremony took place in Shillai village, Himachal Pradesh. While this age-old practice has largely faded among the community, this particular trio chose to follow the traditional custom of polyandry.

The bride, Sunita Chauhan, wed brothers Pradeep and Kapil Negi in a three-day celebration beginning on July 12. The wedding included folk music, dance, and was attended by hundreds of guests, according to PTI. The ceremony was carried out under the customary polyandrous system still observed by some in the Hatti community.

2 brothers, one bride — Himachal village openly embraces age-old Hattee polyandry tradition
TNS, Jul 19, 2025
Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village in Sirmaur married Sunita Chauhan, Kunhat village, in a ceremony steeped in the cultural legacy of the Hattee community pic.twitter.com/Tr20E8EieW

— 🇮🇳 Subash Vaid 🇮🇳 (@scvaid23) July 19, 2025

Recognized under Himachal Pradesh’s revenue laws, this polyandrous tradition is referred to as “Jodidara.” It remains present in tribal regions such as Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh and Jaunsar Babar in Uttarakhand.

Locally, this unique form of marriage is known as “Jajda.” A key ritual called “Seenj” is performed at the groom’s house when the bride arrives in a ceremonial procession.

One major reason for the origin of this custom was to prevent the division of ancestral land among heirs. As per experts cited by PTI, the inheritance rights of tribal women remain a debated topic, and polyandry still persists discreetly in certain areas.

Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, explained that this tradition, which dates back thousands of years, was designed to preserve undivided agricultural property within families.

He also noted that the Jajda system fosters brotherhood and mutual understanding within joint families—especially when brothers, even those from different mothers, marry a single woman.

Another reason cited by Shastri for the practice’s continuation is the aspect of “security,” especially in tribal societies. A larger family, with more men, offers greater safety and helps manage widespread agricultural lands in hilly regions, where long-term care and cultivation are necessary.

Despite its deep historical roots, the tradition is rapidly declining due to rising literacy among women and the community’s economic advancement.

Read More: Who Is Saiyaara Star Ahaan Pandey’s Girlfriend? Shruti Chauhan Sparks Dating Rumors