Dressed in a stunning red lehenga, the bride walks elegantly with her face glowing with excitement and confidence. As she approaches the stage, the groom, watching her affectionately, steps forward, gently takes her hand, and helps her ascend the stairs.
Their embrace marks a tender moment of love and togetherness.
Yet a short distance away, his brother—the second groom—watches silently, absorbing the beauty of this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Soon, he steps forward too, joining them to complete a wedding that is as unique as it is unforgettable
Breaking the societal norms practiced elsewhere, the wedding marks a revival rather than a continuation of a century-old tradition of polyandry in the heart of Himachal Pradesh’s remote Trans-Giri region, recently granted tribal status.
This is a ‘hattee’ community wedding that has caught attention, thanks to the age of technology and social media, making the photos and videos of this socially accepted wedding viral all over the country and state.
“This is a deeply rooted tradition that speaks volumes about community values, shared responsibility, and the preservation of indigenous culture. One should not be amused by the system of polyandry. It’s a socially accepted system,” says Amichand Hattee, a tribal scholar, who goes on to quote several documents and books, including one written by Dr. Y.S. Parmar, the state’s first Chief Minister.
Parmar also hailed from Sirmaur district and had searched on the polyandry system in Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur at best on his research guides at Lucknow University. The Hattee community was granted tribal status long back in 1967 in Uttarakhand (earlier Uttar Pradesh). The same community living in Himachal Pradesh has also been recognised, though the matter is sub judice in the High Court.
Two brothers—Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai, both educated and employed, the elder one in the Himachal Pradesh government—solemnised the wedding with Sunita Chauhan, who hails from the village of Kunhat in the same area.
The rituals were neither done in a hush-hush manner nor behind the doors. It was solemnised in broad daylight. The local community and relatives from both sides participated, danced, and joined the community feast served with pride.
Supreme Court advocate “Polyandry is a known fact in certain areas of Himachal Pradesh or elsewhere. Since both marriages are being solemnized simultaneously, the provisions of section 5 of the Hindu Marriage Act may not be attracted stricto sensu. Similarly, the provisions of section 32 BNS ( 494 IPC) too will not be attracted.”
Says Amichand Hattee, “Two brothers marrying the same woman has been a practice, historically acknowledged. Dr. Parmar, who is also hailed as the architect of Himachal Pradesh, wrote in his book, ‘Polyandry in the Himalayas,' in 1975, describing the tradition, which is highly significant in preventing land fragmentation and ensuring family cohesion.
Given that the Hattian community is a traditionally tribal society grappling with poverty, the practice of polyandry was not just cultural—it was also driven by necessity. It helped families avoid the financial burden of multiple weddings and elaborate feasts.
He maintains that the women in our society enjoy freedom. "They enjoy the freedom to choose their groom." Even married women have the same freedom. You will not find a widow in this society. This is also a beauty of the social customs we practice,” he says
Pradeep Negi, the elder brother (the groom), said that after the wedding, the ceremony was carried out with the mutual consent of the two families and the full participation of the community. Polyandry is an accepted thing.
On the phone, he said, "Both families knew each other very well. The talks about the wedding have been going on between families for at least two years. We (including the girl) stood by the decision of the family and parents to enter into a polyandrous wedding. It's very common here."
The younger, Kapil Negi, who works abroad in the hospitality sector, also endorsed the views, adding that it was in the true spirit of the custom.
“We both took the vow to hold a sacred relationship with Sunita as a wife. It is also a matter of trust, care, and shared responsibility,” he maintains
He also adds, "The aim was to stay rooted in the community culture and the area’s social tradition."
Being away from home, in overseas, Kapil Negi asserts this marriage is our way of standing together—as one family—to give her the care, companionship, and security she deserves. He sports a warm smile.
Social media also quoted the bride, Sunita, as saying, “This was my choice. I understand this tradition, and we are committed together to honor this lifelong companionship.”
Kush Parmar, a five-time Congress MLA from the area and son of Dr. Y.S. Parmar, says, “There is nothing new in this sort of wedding. I remember we have been attending polyandry weddings—very common in the 1969-70s in Renuka, Shaillai, and Rajgarh. Maybe because of social media it has caught more attention, or secondly, also, the area recently got the status of Scheduled Tribe—another point to give publicity to the tradition.
