In Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, the small village of Sammoo stands out each Diwali as its residents abstain from celebrating the festival, adhering to an age-old belief tied to a tragic event generations ago. As reported by PTI, the village remains devoid of festive lights and the sound of crackers, out of reverence for a woman who, according to local lore, took her life upon learning of her husband’s death on Diwali. Elders of the village have passed down warnings, insisting that any attempts to celebrate the holiday could bring misfortune upon them.
As the story goes, a pregnant woman who had traveled to her parents’ home to celebrate Diwali received devastating news about her husband, a soldier in the king’s court. Overcome with grief, she is said to have committed Sati, immolating herself on her husband’s pyre. Before her death, she reportedly cursed the village, declaring they would never celebrate Diwali. Ever since, Sammoo’s villagers honor her memory quietly, only lighting small diyas before her shrine, avoiding any traditional Diwali celebrations.
Elders, like village panchayat leader Pooja Devi, have kept the lore alive, recounting past incidents that reportedly affirm the curse. Devi recalls stories of a family who, having moved from the village, faced a sudden fire while preparing for Diwali, supposedly brought on by disregarding the ancient warning. Villager Veena, now in her seventies, echoes these beliefs, sharing that anyone attempting to celebrate Diwali over the years has faced loss or misfortune. While some younger residents question the tradition, the fear of the curse and respect for their heritage keep Sammoo’s Diwali silent and unlit year after year.
