In the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh, nestled amidst the beauty of nature, lies a village called Sammoo, where time seems to stand still, untouched by the vibrant celebrations of Diwali. This ancient village, located about 25 kilometers from Hamirpur district headquarters, holds a unique and intriguing secret—its residents do not celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. The reason? An age-old curse, passed down through generations, stemming from a tragic event that unfolded on this very day.
The villagers believe that a woman, driven to despair by the news of her soldier husband’s death while he was serving in the king’s court, committed Sati on Diwali, a form of self-immolation on her husband’s funeral pyre. This act, fueled by grief and a desire to be reunited with her beloved, brought a heavy curse upon the village. As legend has it, the woman, in her final moments, cursed the villagers, vowing they would never be able to celebrate the festival of lights.
Since then, the villagers of Sammoo have lived under the shadow of this curse, adhering to a strict tradition of abstaining from all Diwali festivities. No lamps are lit, no firecrackers burst, and no special dishes are prepared. The day remains ordinary, unlike the joyful celebrations witnessed across the rest of India.
The fear of the curse runs deep, permeating every aspect of their lives. Even the younger generation, despite living in an era of modern advancements, has been warned by their elders about the consequences of defying the tradition. Many villagers recall instances where families who have attempted to celebrate Diwali have faced misfortune, further solidifying their belief in the curse.
Pooja Devi, the pradhan of Bhorang panchayat, where Sammoo village resides, recounts the story of a family who had moved away from the village but still attempted to celebrate Diwali. Their house caught fire while they were preparing festive dishes, reinforcing the villagers’ fear that the curse transcends physical boundaries.
The villagers have tried various measures to appease the spirits and break the curse. They have conducted havan and yagya ceremonies, rituals aimed at appeasing deities and seeking divine intervention. However, the curse persists, leaving the villagers with a longing for the day they can finally celebrate Diwali without fear.
The story of the Sammoo village stands as a testament to the power of belief and the enduring impact of tradition. While the curse may appear superstitious to some, for the villagers, it is a tangible reminder of the past and the enduring consequences of a tragic event. They continue to hold onto hope, believing that one day they will be able to break free from the curse and join the rest of the world in celebrating the festival of lights.
