SHILLAI, HIMACHAL PRADESH, July 19 — A wedding involving one bride and two grooms in Himachal Pradesh’s remote Trans-Giri region has drawn attention across the state — not for controversy, but for its open and heartfelt embrace of a centuries-old tradition long practiced in silence.
In a ceremony that spanned three days and was witnessed by hundreds, brothers Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village in Sirmaur district married Sunita Chauhan, a woman from nearby Kunhat village, in full view of their community. The event marked a rare public celebration of polyandry, the traditional practice among the Hattee community in which brothers share a wife.
“This was our joint decision,” said Pradeep, the elder sibling who works with the Jal Shakti Department. “It’s a matter of trust, care and shared responsibility. We followed our tradition openly because we’re proud of our roots.”
Kapil, who is employed in the hospitality sector abroad, echoed his brother’s sentiments. “We’ve always believed in transparency. I may live overseas, but through this marriage, we’re ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family.”
The bride, Sunita, said she was not only a willing participant, but one who made her choice with clarity and conviction. “This was my choice. I was never pressured,” she said. “We’ve made this commitment together, and I believe in the bond we’ve formed.”
Historically, polyandrous marriages have existed in the Trans-Giri region as a practical arrangement to avoid the division of family land, maintain family unity, and share domestic responsibilities — especially when siblings had to live apart for work.
While the practice is still observed in many villages, it is usually kept private due to shifting societal norms. “There are over three dozen families in our village alone where two or three brothers share one wife, or one husband has multiple wives,” said Bishan Tomar, a longtime resident of Shillai. “But those marriages happen quietly. This one stood out for its honesty and the dignity with which it was celebrated.”
The festivities included traditional Trans-Giri cuisine, music, and vibrant Pahari folk dances. Guests from surrounding areas joined in the joyful occasion, offering blessings and celebrating the couple’s — or rather, trio’s — unity.
What sets this marriage apart is not just its form, but its openness — especially significant at a time when the Hattee community has recently been granted Scheduled Tribe status, bringing renewed recognition to its cultural identity.
As more members of the community navigate modernity and tradition, this wedding has come to symbolize both a continuity of heritage and a new willingness to engage with it openly and respectfully.
Rather than triggering criticism, the event has prompted thoughtful conversations. It also offers a rare public lens into indigenous practices often misunderstood or dismissed — presenting them instead as living traditions grounded in consent, honesty, and mutual respect.
