Olympian Wrestler Deepak Punia Marries UPSC Aspirant Shivani in a Touching Ceremony; Accepts Only a Silver Coin as Dowry
In a beautiful blend of sports, tradition, and modern values, Tokyo Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Deepak Punia tied the knot with Shivani on Tuesday night. The wedding, held at the Hilton Resort in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, was not just a celebration of love but also a testament to simplicity and progressive ideals, as the star wrestler accepted only a single silver coin as dowry.
The ceremony, attended by close family and friends, saw the 25-year-old wrestler exchange vows with Shivani, a UPSC aspirant dreaming of becoming an IAS officer. Their union highlights a growing trend among India’s youth—balancing deep-rooted cultural traditions with contemporary, egalitarian values.
A Wedding Steeped in Tradition and Simplicity
The Deepak Punia wedding was a vibrant yet intimate affair. Deepak looked regal in a cream sherwani, while Shivani dazzled in a dark red lehenga, both outfits crafted by the same designer. The rituals began with a Lagaan Tika ceremony on February 2 at a farmhouse in Jhajjar, where the symbolic dowry of a one-rupee silver coin was given—a powerful statement against ostentation.
“We believe in simplicity and substance,” said Deepak’s father, Subhash Punia. The wedding procession departed from their native Chhara village, culminating in the classic saat phere (seven vows) at the resort. The bride, hailing from Nilothi village in Jhajjar, is highly educated, holding an MA in English and a B.Ed, and is currently preparing for her M.Ed alongside the UPSC exams.
From the Wrestling Mat to the Wedding Stage
Olympian wrestler Deepak Punia’s journey to the altar is as compelling as his athletic career. Known as ‘Ketli Pehlwan’ in his village for once drinking a kettle full of milk, Deepak’s rise from local akharas to the global stage has been inspirational. He narrowly missed an Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2021, a moment charged with emotion as he had dedicated the potential win to his late mother. He later clinched gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
His father revealed that Deepak even opted out of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) this season to focus on his marriage. A Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, Deepak’s discipline shines through in both his professional and personal choices.
A Modern Match Forged in Friendship
The Deepak Punia wedding has its roots in friendship. The couple’s fathers, Subhash Punia and property dealer Anoop Singh, became friends at a local wrestling arena in 2020. “When proposals started coming for Deepak, I suggested to Anoop that we turn our friendship into a relationship. He agreed immediately,” Subhash shared. This connection blossomed into a romance between their children, culminating in an engagement on September 28, 2025.
Why This Story Resonates Today
In the current lifestyle and culture landscape, where celebrity weddings often spotlight extravagance, Deepak and Shivani’s celebration stands out for its heartfelt modesty and focus on shared values. It reflects a shift towards meaningful rituals and gender equality, exemplified by Shivani’s academic ambitions and the family’s full support for her career goals.
A New Chapter Begins
As the newlyweds embark on their life together, they carry forward a legacy of hard work—one on the wrestling mat, the other in the pursuit of public service. The Deepak Punia wedding is more than a celebrity update; it’s a refreshing narrative of humility, partnership, and progress that resonates deeply with a modern Indian audience.
