{
  "id": 18944850,
  "title": "Himachal Pradesh: Sammoo Village In Hamirpur Has Avoided Diwali Celebrations For 100 Years Over Fear Of Ancient Curse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/himachal-pradesh-sammoo-village-in-hamirpur-has-avoided-diwali",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T13:29:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/himachal-pradesh-sammoo-village-in-hamirpur-has-avoided-diwali-celebrations-for-100-years-over-fear-of-ancient-curse"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Diwali, the festival of lights, was not celebrated in Sammoo village of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh for over a century, owing to a curse that locals believe has haunted the region. Village elders believe that the curse began with a woman who committed sati, offering herself on her deceased husband's funeral pyre, which was later outlawed. According to local belief, the woman placed a curse on the village, stating that Diwali would never be celebrated there. Despite efforts to lift the curse through rituals, the tradition persists, as villagers fear misfortune, disasters, and untimely deaths if they celebrate Diwali. The village, located about 25 kilometers from Hamirpur district headquarters, refrains from lighting fireworks, preparing festive dishes, or even cooking special food on the festival day. The fear of the curse is so deep-rooted that residents seldom venture outdoors on Diwali. Children grow up knowing that Diwali is not celebrated in their village, as the elders firmly insist that it brings disaster. Despite the lost tradition, villagers still feel the joy of Diwali but cannot participate in the festivities.",
  "summary": "Hamirpur (HP), Nov 8: Diwali was celebrated with great enthusiasm across India on Sunday, as homes and streets lit up with lamps, candles and colourful lights. But in Himachal's Sammoo village, the festive excitement was missing. For over 100 years, residents have refrained from celebrating the festival of lights, a tradition they attribute to a longstanding curse that, according to local belief,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Sammoo village in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, abstains from Diwali celebrations for 100 years.",
    "Locals believe an ancient curse, stemming from a sati woman, prevents Diwali festivities.",
    "Fear of misfortune, disasters, and untimely deaths keeps villagers from celebrating Diwali."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}