The entire nation is gripped in the festive fever. There are lights, lamps, decorations everywhere to mark Diwali festivities. While everyone celebrated love and light yesterday on Diwali, a village in Andhra Pradesh hasn't enjoyed the festival for over two centuries now. While Diwali happens to be one of the biggest celebrations that are done all over the country, the village of Ponnanapalem has banned the festival for almost 200 years. So the villagers here spend the days like any other days and do not even plan to revive the tradition of celebrating the festival. The reason behind their decision may also sound strange, but it has been followed strictly for decades. Diwali Celebrated With 'Green Fireworks' Across Delhi-NCR.

It so happened that many years ago, a baby had died due to snakebite on the day of Nagula Chaviti, which is the worship of snakes. On the same day of Diwali, two oxen also died in the village. Since then, it is said that the Diwali celebrations caused these deaths and a ban has been imposed on bringing in any kind of festivities. So much so, that when any woman marries and comes to the village, she has to let go of all the Diwali celebrations. The current residents highly held the decision of the ancestors and its been almost 200 years the village stays in darkness even on the days of Diwali. Diwali 2018: No Celebrations in White House This Year as US President Donald Trump Breaks Bush-Era Tradition. 

Although the educated villagers have tried to revive the celebrations several times, the villagers have relented. The village heads oppose the celebrations. A retired headmaster of government school Naidu was quoted to New Indian Express, "I motivated the villagers in various ways and even I celebrated Diwali with my family members almost 12 years ago in the village by violating the ban. Unfortunately, my son died due to ill-health after a few years. Rumors spread in the village that my son died because of violation of the ban on Diwali festivities."

Not just the villagers, even the police and revenue officials have tried their bit to continue celebrating the festivals, years later. But 95% of the village residents are ancestors of the Ponnana branch. It was in this family the unfortunate death took place, so all the ancestors follow the ban even today.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2018 03:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).