The traditional “Buddhi Diwali” festival, which started on November 26, concluded with cultural night at Nirmand village in Kullu. Across India, Diwali was celebrated on October 27, while villagers of Nirmand celebrate the age-old tradition after one month of Diwali.

History:The festival was celebrated to commemorate the killings of demons Dano and Asur, who resided there in the form of snakes.

Tradition: As per tradition, villagers took animals to a nearby temple where the sacrificial ceremony was performed on ‘amavasya’. The severed head was offered to the deities and the meat was taken home for cooking but after the directions of the High Court, villagers shunned the animal sacrifice and offered coconut to appease the deity.

Regions celebrating it: Buddhi Diwali is celebrated in Anni and Nirmand areas of Kullu, Shillai, Sangrah and Rajgarh of Sirmaur and Chopal of Shimla district.