In Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district, two brothers from the Hatti community married the same woman in a traditional ceremony attended by thousands of people.

Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village got married to Pradeep and Kapil Negi from Shillai. This marriage followed an old local custom called “Jodidara,” where two or more brothers share one wife. The three-day wedding, which began on July 12 in the Trans-Giri region, included local folk songs, dances, and rituals. Sunita said the marriage was her own decision and that she was not forced.

What is ‘Jodidara’?

Jodidara is a traditional form of marriage in some parts of Himachal Pradesh, especially among the Hatti tribe. In this practice, two or more brothers marry the same woman. It is also called “Draupadi Pratha,” inspired by the Mahabharata, where Draupadi was married to the five Pandava brothers. Locals also call it Ujla Paksh or Jodidaran.

How the practice works

In Jodidara, the wife spends time with each husband according to a schedule, which the family decides together, it could be daily, weekly, or another arrangement. All brothers help in raising the children, though the eldest brother is usually considered the legal father.

The Jodidara tradition helps tribal families in Himachal Pradesh maintain their ancestral land without dividing it among multiple heirs. In the hilly regions of the state, where agriculture is a major source of livelihood, families depend on shared land to survive. By marrying one woman to several brothers, the land remains in one piece, ensuring better use and support for the entire family.

This practice also strengthens family unity. When brothers share a wife, it helps keep the joint family system intact, promoting closer bonds and shared responsibilities. This setup offers social and financial stability, especially in mountain areas where teamwork is needed to run farms and manage daily life.

Legal status of Jodidara

Although Indian law does not allow polyandry, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has recognised the Jodidara custom under what is locally known as "Jodidar Law." This legal protection allows tribal communities, like the Hattis, to continue the tradition. Community leaders view it as a vital part of their cultural identity.

The Hatti tribe, which lives in about 450 villages in the Trans-Giri region, was granted Scheduled Tribe status partly because of its unique traditions, including Jodidara. While the practice has become less common due to changing modern values, it still exists in a few areas. Over the past six years, five polyandrous marriages have been recorded in the Trans-Giri region, showing that the tradition remains alive in some villages of Sirmaur district.