Himachal brothers marry same woman: All about the ancient Jodidara tradition

Two brothers from the Hatti community in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district tied the knot with the same woman, with hundreds of people witnessing the marriage solemnised under the anachronistic tradition of polyandry. The wedding, which lasted three days and began on July 12, was held in the Trans-Giri region, NDTV reported.

The bride, Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village, married Pradeep and Kapil Negi from Shillai under an age-old local tradition known as Jodidara, a form of polyandry practiced by some tribal communities in Himachal.

As per NDTV, the wedding celebrations included traditional songs, dances, and rituals reflecting the cultural heritage of the Hatti tribe. According to Sunita, the decision to marry both brothers was made with full consent and without any pressure. “I knew about the tradition and accepted it on my own. There was no compulsion,” she was quoted by NDTV as saying.

Pradeep, who works in a government department, said, “We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it, and it was a joint decision.”

“We’re ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family. We’ve always believed in transparency,” India Today quoted Kapil as saying.

What is the Jodidara tradition?

Jodidara is a traditional form of polyandry, specifically when brothers share one wife. This practice has existed for generations among the Hatti tribe in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh. It is often compared to the story of Draupadi from the Mahabharata, who was married to the five Pandava brothers, and is sometimes referred to locally as Draupadi Pratha, Jodidaran, or Ujla Paksh.

In this tradition, the wife lives with each brother according to a schedule they mutually agree on, this could be on a daily, weekly, or other rotational basis. Children born into such families are raised collectively. Legally, the eldest brother is usually considered the father, but all brothers take equal responsibility for raising the children, according to the NDTV report.

Why is this tradition practiced?

In the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, agriculture is often the only source of livelihood. Land is limited, and splitting it among multiple heirs would make it harder to survive. So, to avoid dividing the family’s farmland, brothers marry the same woman and live as a joint unit. This helps preserve both the land and family unity.

According to the report, sharing a wife also helps strengthen bonds between brothers and supports a cooperative family system, which is especially important in difficult terrains where daily life requires shared effort.

Is it legal?

Although polyandry is not allowed under Indian law, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has recognised and protected the Jodidara custom under what's known as ‘Jodidar Law,’ specifically for tribal communities. The Hatti leaders view it as an important part of their identity, India Today reported.

The Hatti tribe, spread across 450 villages in the Trans-Giri area, recently received Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, in part due to their unique customs, including Jodidara. Over the past six years, five such polyandrous marriages have taken place in Sirmaur, proving that some families still choose to follow this centuries-old way of life.