You Will Be Surprised To Find No Traces Of Diwali In These 10 Places Of India

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the major festivals celebrated in almost every corner of India. Celebrated majorly by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists, each faith has different historical events and stories related to the festival. However, the festival has the overarching theme of victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil across faiths.

You may have come across many travel blogs stating the best places in India to celebrate Diwali. While most of the country celebrates the festival with great fervour by lighting diyas and candles, there are some places where there are no signs of festivity. Here's a list of some of such places.

1. Kerala

Kerala is one such state where you will not find any traces of Diwali. Along with a difference of culture, ethnicity, customs and traditions from the northern part of the country, a major reason is also Kerala's geographically isolation from the rest of India until the British colonised part of it.

However, Onam is the major festival in Kerala. If you visit Kerala during Onam, you will find that the people are bursting crackers, decorating their homes with lamps and lights.

Are you planning a trip Kerala? This travel guide is for you.

2. Melukote, Karnataka

In Melukote, Diwali is a dark and unwelcome reminder of their people's tryst with a tyrant, Tipu Sultan. The Mandyam Iyengar community observes “Naraka Chaturdasi” as a day of mourning. On this day, more than 2 centuries ago, the 'Tiger of Mysore massacred close to 800 Mandyam Iyengar men, women, and children in the town of Melukote. Deepavali is supposed to symbolize the victory of light over darkness, but for the Mandyam Iyengars, it will forever remain a day when darkness descended upon them.

3. Bisrakh, UP

People of Bisrakh believe that they are the descendants of Ravana. The name Bisrakh comes from Vishrava – Ravana’s father. They say that Vishrava installed a Siva idol in their village and that Ravana was born there. That makes Ravana a true son of the soil. How can they celebrate his fall?

4. Ponnanapalem village in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

According to the villagers, two hundred years ago a baby died of a snake bite, and two oxen also lost their lives on the day of Diwali. Thinking that the celebration of Diwali caused the death, the then village heads imposed a ban on Diwali celebrations. In 2006 a resident of the village and retired government school headmaster apparently tried to break the tradition and celebrated Diwali with his family. The death of his son a few years later due to ill health reiterated the belief among the residents that the celebration will bring bad luck.

5. Baijnath village in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

The people of Baijnath village respect Ravana as a great devotee of Shiva. According to locals, Ravana offered his 10 heads to Shiva while doing penance in this village, and Shiva blessed him right here. They do not want to celebrate anything that celebrates his defeat and death. They believe that if they celebrate Diwali, it will bring divine wrath on them. Owing to these beliefs, Kangra is an ideal place to visit during Diwali if you're looking for a peaceful weekend getaway.

6. Nagaland

As the predominant religion of Nagaland is Christianity, celebrating Diwali is not a part of their religious belief. However, in a few regions, you can see that people are decorating their homes with lamps, but the numbers are very few. Moreover, considering the harmful effects of bursting firecrackers, the state government prohibits the sale and use of firecrackers in all parts of the state.

7. Kashmir

In Kashmir, the streets are silent during Diwali. Some Hindus and Sikhs in Srinagar do celebrate Diwali, but the festivities are negligible in comparison with a city like Delhi.

8. Meghalaya

In the tribal villages of Meghalaya, Diwali is not so popular. You will hardly find anybody celebrating Diwali. If you are searching for a place where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy some quiet time during Diwali, Meghalaya is an ideal choice.

9. Thoppupatti and Saampatti villages in Trichy, Tamil Nadu

These villages do not celebrate Diwali for ecological reasons. The fireworks of Diwali disturb the bats living in the branches of a sacred banyan tree. The bats have occupied the tree for decades, so the villagers worship them as gods as part of a tradition. Crackers are unheard of in these villages during Diwali or any other village festival.

10. Mandore, Rajasthan

According to some legends, Mandore is where Mandodari married Ravana. The local priests, Maudgil Brahmins, believe that when Ravana came here for his wedding, their ancestors accompanied him. To them, Ravana is like a son-in-law. Do you think it is logical for them to celebrate their son-in-law’s defeat and death? They don’t.

This was a list of places where there's no sign of Diwali, and each destination is perfect for a holiday seeping with solitude. You will find a different type of charm in these parts of India during Diwali. But that doesn't mean festivities are few and far between: dig deeper and you'll find out riveting festivals that light up these places over the year.

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