Last update:October 31, 2024, 11:59 AM IST

They celebrate Diwali at the cremation ground, honoring their ancestors by lighting lamps at the graves of their loved ones.

It is a five-day event that begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj.

Deepawali, commonly known as Diwali, is a much-awaited and widely celebrated festival among Hindus in India and around the world. It is a five-day event that begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj.

In Karimnagar district, however, the approach to Diwali is quite different. For 60 years, this community has followed a unique tradition. They celebrate Diwali at the cremation ground, honoring their ancestors by lighting lamps at the graves of their loved ones. This tradition continues in Karimnagar, Telangana, where families from a particular social group gather at the Karjana Gadda Hindu cremation ground every year to remember their deceased loved ones.

A week before the festival, families clean and paint the graves. On Diwali, they gather to decorate the graves with flowers and spend the evening there. They remember their elders, offer tributes, light candles and place the deceased’s favorite dishes on the graves. Families also perform rituals and prayers until midnight.

While people across the country celebrate Diwali in homes and public spaces, in Karimnagar the focus is on the cremation ground. The community believes that honoring their loved ones on this special day brings peace to their souls. Although this tradition may seem unique, many find joy in celebrating the memory of those who are no longer with us.

On the other hand, Diwali will be celebrated as an official school holiday in New York, allowing more than 1.1 million students to observe the festival of lights. Diwali has been declared a public holiday for New York City public schools starting this year. Last year, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law making Diwali a public holiday for the city’s public schools. New York City schools will remain closed on November 1 to celebrate Diwali.

Dilip Chauhan, deputy commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, said Diwali, celebrated for the first time as an official school holiday in New York, is an “important milestone that celebrates the diversity of our city and the tireless efforts of our community and leaders.” “With 1.1 million students now able to observe the day, Diwali becomes a true symbol of unity: a celebration of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance,” Chauhan told PTI .