Rajasthan: 95-Year-Old Dungarpur Man Marries Partner After 70 Years of Live-In Under Tribal Tradition

After 70 years of living together, Dungarpur’s Rama Bhai Kharari and Jeewali Devi tied the knot in Rajasthan, turning their lifelong bond into a marriage celebration.

The nonagenarian couple was married in a traditional tribal ceremony.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

A 95-year-old man from Rajasthan’s tribal community has married his partner after living together for 70 years under the traditional Nata system. The couple, who followed all wedding rituals, tied the knot in the presence of family, neighbours, and community members in Galandar village of Jothri Panchayat.

According to reports, Rama Angari, 95, and Jeevli Devi, 90, had been in a live-in relationship under the Nata tradition for seven decades. Together, they raised six children — four sons and two daughters. Their grandchildren, cousins, nephews, and nieces also attended the joyous ceremony, which was celebrated with proper traditional rituals and much fanfare.

Village Celebrates 95-Year-Old Groom’s Wedding

To mark the occasion, a traditional Binoli, a celebratory pre-wedding procession was held for Rama. The wedding was organised by the couple’s children, who fulfilled their parents' wish to officially get married. The event featured music, dancing, and a vibrant village gathering. Locals joined in the celebration as the elderly couple took the sacred wedding vows.

What Is The Nata Tradition?

The Nata tradition has been followed for centuries in the tribal communities of Rajasthan. This unique tradition practiced in this state allows men and women to live together without a formal marriage. Children born from such unions have full inheritance rights to the property of their father. However, couples, particularly women, often face social restrictions. They are usually excluded from the key ceremonies like weddings, the haldi ceremony, and welcoming the groom with bhat.

To overcome these limitations and gain full social recognition, many tribal couples are now opting for formal marriage, even after living together for decades. The recent wedding of Rama Bhai and Jeevli Devi after 70 years together reflects this growing shift within the tribal society toward rights, respect, and inclusion.