Munish Sood
MANDI: A marriage ceremony held recently in the Shillai region of Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh has brought renewed attention to a long-standing but now rarely practised local tradition. In accordance with customs once prevalent in parts of Himachal Pradesh, two brothers married the same woman, a practice that was once a socially accepted norm in this region, but has been largely invisible over the past few decades.
The wedding, which took place from July 12-14, followed all customary rituals and was celebrated with full participation from the local community. On the final day, both grooms were seen on stage with their bride, symbolising a union rooted in historical tradition rather than modern convention.
The family involved belongs to the Thindo lineage of Shillai, and the bride hails from Kunhat village. According to available information, all three individuals are well-educated and come from economically stable households. One of the grooms is employed in the Jal Shakti Department while the other works abroad.
Tradition with deep cultural roots
In the Hatti community, which inhabits the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur and is also present in parts of Uttarakhand, fraternal polyandry was once an accepted and practical social structure. Traditionally, multiple brothers marrying a single woman was seen as a way to prevent the fragmentation of ancestral property and maintain family unity.
This form of union, known locally as part of the “Ujjala Paksh” (a respected aspect of local custom), also helped manage household responsibilities during times when men would leave for long periods in search of work. The practice was similarly observed in regions like Jaunsar-Bawar in Uttarakhand and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.
However, over the past 30 to 40 years, such marriages have become increasingly rare, particularly with changing legal norms, economic structures and social mobility. Most younger generations have moved toward nuclear family systems, making this form of marital arrangement nearly obsolete.
Community response and reflection
Though the marriage was conducted peacefully and with full participation from family and village elders, its resurfacing has prompted both curiosity and quiet reflection within the region. While locals have not spoken extensively about the event, it has initiated conversations, especially online, about how traditional practices evolve over time and what role they continue to play in modern rural society.
As one observer noted, “This is not merely about marriage — it is about how communities once found structured ways to deal with shared responsibilities, land, and life in the hills.”
