Diwali Ban: Village Cursed Against Festivities

In the village of Sammoo, Himachal Pradesh, the festive spirit of Diwali remains absent due to a generational belief rooted in an ancient curse. For over a century, residents have refrained from celebrating the festival, adhering to a tradition that warns against lighting up their homes.

This adherence stems from local accounts attributing the curse to a woman who committed sati and allegedly cursed the village against observing Diwali. Consequently, villagers avoid fireworks, decorations, and special festive meals, fearing a recurrence of fires, untimely deaths, and other misfortunes.

Elderly residents, like Savitri Devi, have lived their entire lives without witnessing Diwali celebrations in Sammoo. Despite attempts to break the tradition, reported mishaps have only reinforced the deep-seated fear. While some residents experience sadness due to the restrictions, they often travel to neighboring villages to witness and feel the joy of Diwali from afar.