Shimla, Dec 2 (IANS): Based on a local mythology, Diwali was celebrated Monday in some remote areas of Himachal Pradesh almost a month after the rest of the country had its festival of lights. The festival will continue for four-five days.
According to tradition, the Buddhi or "dark Diwali" celebrations begin on the first 'amavasya' (moonless night of the dark fortnight of a lunar month) after the regular Diwali.
The festival marks merrymaking, singing folksongs and invoking gods by slaughtering animals amid the beating of drums and blowing of trumpets.
It is mainly celebrated in Kullu district's Ani and Nirmand areas, Shillai, Sangrah and Rajgarh areas in Sirmaur district, and Shimla district's Chopal area.
The legend has it that the news of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana reached late in these pockets of the region and thus Diwali celebrations were held later than in the rest of the country.
The Buddhi Diwali celebrations would continue till Wednesday, former legislator Jagat Singh Negi, who is based in Shillai tehsil of Sirmaur, told IANS. He said in some areas of Sirmaur, the festival would culminate Friday.
Negi said a majority of people settled in the trans-Giri areas in Sirmaur belong to two sects -- Pashi and Shathi. They basically migrated from Rajasthan during the Mughal period.
While the Pashis are claimed to be related to the Pandavas, the Shathis to the Kauravas.
Negi, who is a Pashi, said the Shathis would take out processions in the village Monday night with flames lit on pine and oak twigs, while the Pashis would do this ritual early Tuesday.
Hundreds of goats and sheep are sacrificed to mark the festival.
According to the tradition, villagers who rear the livestock, mainly the goat, throughout the year will take the animals to a nearby temple where the sacrificial ceremony is performed on the first night of the festival.
The severed heads are offered to the gods and deities and animal's body is taken home for the meat to be cooked, which is shared by the villagers and relatives.
"The animal sacrifice is important during the festival as it brings round-the-year prosperity," Bidhi Singh of Nirmand village said.
He said the festival is the onset of harsh winter season. "Since germination stops, there is no work in the fields for the next three months. It's time to relax and make merry."
Singh said the meat stored during the festival is consumed during the harsh winter months.
In Kullu district, the festival is also celebrated to commemorate the killing of demons Dano and Asur, who resided there in the form of snakes.
The festival also has a brighter side. The locals clean their houses, purchase utensils, bangles and clothes and cook special dishes.
However, the animal protection groups and religious leaders have demanded that the illegal practice of animal sacrifice should be stopped.
US-based religious leader Rajan Zed told IANS on e-mail: "Ahimsa is the first moral law, from it all welfare grows. Therefore, protect even the mosquito, louse and the flea."