The Himachal Village That Hasn't Celebrated Diwali For Centuries
In Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district lies Sammoo, a village where Diwali has not been celebrated for generations. The tradition stems from an age-old curse linked to a tragic act of sati. As the story goes, a woman took her life on her husband's funeral pyre after he was killed in battle. Before dying, she pronounced a curse declaring that the people of the village would never be able to celebrate Diwali again.
Over time, the villagers came to believe that this curse holds real power. Sammoo, situated around 25km from the district headquarters, allows only the lighting of diyas on Diwali. Bursting crackers or holding grand festivities is strictly avoided. Locals insist that any attempt to break this custom leads to misfortune.
"Whenever they try to celebrate the day, either someone dies or some disaster strikes the village," said Thakur Bidhii Chand, an elderly resident, speaking to PTI. This belief has shaped the community’s behaviour for centuries, and passing time has only reinforced the fear.
A number of efforts have been made to lift the curse, but none have succeeded. Rituals such as havan and yajna were performed, including a major ceremony three years ago. Yet, the villagers say nothing changed. Vijay Kumar, another local, recalled that the large yajna failed to break the curse's hold over the settlement.
Today, caution has become tradition. Many villagers choose not to step outside their homes during Diwali, wary of triggering any ill fate. While diyas are still lit to honour the occasion in a minimal way, celebrations remain muted and deeply influenced by inherited fear.
What makes Sammoo unique is not just its abstinence from festivities, but the collective belief that history still governs the present.
Over time, the villagers came to believe that this curse holds real power. Sammoo, situated around 25km from the district headquarters, allows only the lighting of diyas on Diwali. Bursting crackers or holding grand festivities is strictly avoided. Locals insist that any attempt to break this custom leads to misfortune.
"Whenever they try to celebrate the day, either someone dies or some disaster strikes the village," said Thakur Bidhii Chand, an elderly resident, speaking to PTI. This belief has shaped the community’s behaviour for centuries, and passing time has only reinforced the fear.
A number of efforts have been made to lift the curse, but none have succeeded. Rituals such as havan and yajna were performed, including a major ceremony three years ago. Yet, the villagers say nothing changed. Vijay Kumar, another local, recalled that the large yajna failed to break the curse's hold over the settlement.
Today, caution has become tradition. Many villagers choose not to step outside their homes during Diwali, wary of triggering any ill fate. While diyas are still lit to honour the occasion in a minimal way, celebrations remain muted and deeply influenced by inherited fear.
What makes Sammoo unique is not just its abstinence from festivities, but the collective belief that history still governs the present.
Next Story