In the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, the village of Sammoo continues a centuries-old tradition of not celebrating Diwali, following a curse pronounced by a woman who committed sati. Locals maintain the practice by only lighting diyas, while refraining from bursting crackers or indulging in lavish festivities.
Origins of the Curse
According to village elders, several hundred years ago, a pregnant woman was preparing for Diwali when the body of her husband, a soldier in the local king’s army, was brought home for cremation. Overcome with grief, she threw herself into the funeral pyre. Before her death, she cursed the village, declaring that its people would never be able to celebrate Diwali.
Village deputy Veena Devi explained that the deliberate darkening of the festival has been followed ever since. “There is a tacit understanding against extravagance. Lighting diyas is allowed, but bursting crackers is forbidden,” she said.
Consequences and Beliefs
Locals believe that any attempt to celebrate Diwali beyond lighting diyas brings disasters or death. Elder Thakur Bidhii Chand remarked, “Whenever we try to celebrate normally, either someone dies or some calamity strikes the village.”
Attempts to lift the curse through rituals and havans have been unsuccessful. Three years ago, a large yajna was performed, but villagers say the curse still holds strong. Some residents even remain indoors on the day of Diwali, fearing misfortune.
Despite the passage of centuries, the legacy of the sati’s curse continues to shape the customs and daily life of Sammoo village, making it one of the few places in India to observe a dark Diwali.
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