Mirzapur: Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with great pomp in the entire country, but there are many villages in Naxal-affected district of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh where people do not celebrate Diwali.
They do not light diyas in their homes nor are their homes cleaned or beautified.
On the day of Diwali, people actually mourn in these villages. It sounds unusual but they do so.
It is believed that their famous Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan was killed with deceit on the day of Diwali.
Since then, Chauhan’s descendants have not been celebrating the festival of lights.
Diyas are not lit on Diwali
When the entire country will be dazzling in the light of Diwali, there will be darkness in the surrounding villages along with Attari, Matihani and Lalpur of Rajgarh block on Saturday.
The diyas of respect among the people of these villages will keep illuminating in their hearts for Prithviraj Chauhan
as a mark of respect to the brave son of India who did not care for his life and fought against invaders.
The descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan do not celebrate Diwali but gather and mourn at one place.
This tradition has been going on in these villages for many generations. There is neither any lighting of lamps in these villages nor any decoration.
Prithviraj Chauhan's descendants still aggrieved
In the country where people easily forget their ancient heroes, there are people living in various villages of Mirzapur, who have been sacrificing their joy as a mark of respect to Chauhan.
It is to be noted that Prithviraj Chauhan was killed by Muslim invader Mohammed Ghori.
His descendants still mourn Chauhan’s deceitful killing across many villages in Mirzapur. This tradition has been going on since 1192.
It is worth mentioning that Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu ruler to rule Delhi, had defeated Mohammad Ghori sixteen times on the battlefield.
According to history, the way Mohammad Ghori, after getting Jayachand’s support, made Prithviraj Chauhan hostage in the war and killed him by putting a hot iron rod in his eyes, is still resented by his descendants. People in this part of the world say that there is always an atmosphere of sorrow on this day.
Instead of Diwali, they celebrate the day of ‘Ekadashi’ with usual fervour and enthusiasm.
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