While the entire nation celebrates Diwali by lighting lamps, a small village in Uttar Pradesh has not done so for generations.

Every year, India celebrates the return of Lord Ram from exile by lighting lamps on Diwali. However, a small village in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district has not lit diyas (earthen lamps) on Diwali for ages. This is the tale of Yadav Purwa village, where people believe that if the village celebrates Diwali, something bad will happen to the residents.

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Mourns the death of a young man

According to village head Shivkumari Devi, generations ago, a young man died on the day of Diwali. Since then, the village has been mourning the death of that young man, and, in his respect, the village refrains itself from celebrating Diwali.

After the death of the young man, the elders of the village made the rule, and since then, generations have kept the words of the elders. The ancestors also said that if the village celebrates Diwali, unfortunate events will take place in the village.

Incidents

Are the words true?

On some occasions, new brides hailing from other villages tried to defy the orders of their ancestors. Soon after, several people began falling ill, including children. Even children are not allowed to burst crackers on the day of Diwali. Instead, they do so the next day.

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Villagers’ statements

Speaking to IANS, Draupadi Devi, an elderly villager, said, “Unless a son, or a calf, is born on Diwali, the villagers will not celebrate the festival and will continue to mourn as they have for generations.”

Another villager, Sapna Yadav, added, “Diwali has not been celebrated here for hundreds of years now, and the villagers are committed to following the tradition. On Diwali, neither firecrackers are heard in this village, nor are lamps lit or sweets exchanged. It is just like any ordinary day.”

The village is home to 250 people with nearly 20 houses.