Hamirpur (HP), October 31 People of Sammoo village in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh do not celebrate Diwali, a custom they have followed since time immemorial, fearing the curse of a distraught woman who committed Sati at this festival generations ago.
Diwali, the vibrant festival of light, passes like any other day with dark houses and no lights or sounds of crackers.
The villagers are still trapped in a mess of traditions and under the fear that something terrible will happen.
The elders have warned the younger ones that any celebration, whether lighting or preparing a special dish, would not bode well and would invite misfortune, disaster and death.
Legend has it that, many moons ago, the woman referred to here had left for her parents' house to celebrate Diwali.
But she soon received news that her husband, a soldier in the king's court, had died.
The woman, who was pregnant, could not bear the shock, burned herself on her husband's pyre and cursed the villagers that they will never be able to celebrate Diwali.
Since then, Diwali has never stopped being celebrated in this village, residents say.
Bhoranj panchayat pradhan Pooja Devi and several other women said that since they got married and came to this village, they had never seen Diwali celebrated.
Summo village, located about 25 km from Hamirpur district headquarters, belongs to the Bhoranj panchayat group.
"Even if the villagers settle outside, the curse of women will not leave them. A few years ago, a family from a far-off village was preparing some local dishes for Diwali when their house caught fire. Only the villagers Worship Sati and lights diyas in front of her," said Pooja Devi.
A village elder, who has witnessed more than 70 Diwali without any celebration, says that every time someone tries to observe Diwali, some misfortune or loss occurs and as such, he prefers to stay at home.
"For hundreds of years, people have refrained from celebrating Diwali. On Diwali day, if a family, even by mistake, breaks crackers and prepares dishes at home, a disaster is sure to happen," says Veena, another villager. .
Despite several attempts to break the curse by performing havan-yagya, the villagers have failed, which has deepened their determination to adhere to their traditions, he says.
The collective memory of the community's past keeps them bound to their customs, even as younger generations express a desire to break free from this belief, Veena adds.
However, the villagers are hopeful that one day they will be able to celebrate Diwali.
Diwali, the vibrant festival of light, passes like any other day with dark houses and no lights or sounds of crackers.
The villagers are still trapped in a mess of traditions and under the fear that something terrible will happen.
The elders have warned the younger ones that any celebration, whether lighting or preparing a special dish, would not bode well and would invite misfortune, disaster and death.
Legend has it that, many moons ago, the woman referred to here had left for her parents' house to celebrate Diwali.
But she soon received news that her husband, a soldier in the king's court, had died.
The woman, who was pregnant, could not bear the shock, burned herself on her husband's pyre and cursed the villagers that they will never be able to celebrate Diwali.
Since then, Diwali has never stopped being celebrated in this village, residents say.
Bhoranj panchayat pradhan Pooja Devi and several other women said that since they got married and came to this village, they had never seen Diwali celebrated.
Summo village, located about 25 km from Hamirpur district headquarters, belongs to the Bhoranj panchayat group.
"Even if the villagers settle outside, the curse of women will not leave them. A few years ago, a family from a far-off village was preparing some local dishes for Diwali when their house caught fire. Only the villagers Worship Sati and lights diyas in front of her," said Pooja Devi.
A village elder, who has witnessed more than 70 Diwali without any celebration, says that every time someone tries to observe Diwali, some misfortune or loss occurs and as such, he prefers to stay at home.
"For hundreds of years, people have refrained from celebrating Diwali. On Diwali day, if a family, even by mistake, breaks crackers and prepares dishes at home, a disaster is sure to happen," says Veena, another villager. .
Despite several attempts to break the curse by performing havan-yagya, the villagers have failed, which has deepened their determination to adhere to their traditions, he says.
The collective memory of the community's past keeps them bound to their customs, even as younger generations express a desire to break free from this belief, Veena adds.
However, the villagers are hopeful that one day they will be able to celebrate Diwali.