Diyali: An Age Old Tradition To Fight Evil Spirits

Himachal This Week

We are high tech people and technology means everything to us and  rest all are superstitions to us. Age old traditions and culture is only preserved by villagers, who are still far away from the technology or perhaps they do not let the technology control over them. Likewise, there is an old tradition that helps keep evil spirits at bay in Kullu. It’s a festival of hurling choicest abuses at each other. The Diyali festival is celebrated by locals in Kullu. This time too, villagers took out processions in their villages with torches of pine and deodar twigs to keep those evil spirits away.        According to the tradition, the festival, marked by invoking gods amid beating of drums and blowing of trumpets, is celebrated on the night of the new moon in January. It is mainly celebrated in villages located in the picturesque Kullu Valley which are normally covered with snow in winter. The locals take out processions through villages, carrying a man on a pole with sheep horns adorning his head. During the procession, they sing abusive phrases.         The abuses help warding off evil spirits. Womenfolk are barred from participating in the procession. After culmination of the procession, the temple priest reads out the forecast of the year ahead. Like Diwali, houses are cleaned and ‘puja’ is performed to mark Diyali. It is also marked by merrymaking and singing of folk songs. Torches light up their houses for a week, locals said. The festival also witnesses purchase of utensils and clothes and cooking of special dishes.

Local Beliefs

Paush (mid December to mid January) is considered the month of dark when deities are believed to migrate to heaven for 30 days. During this period, some evil spirits try to harm people. To protect villages and drive away the evils, shouting abuses becomes necessary, believe villagers. In local language, shouting abuses is known as ‘Jiru’ which is an integral part of the festival. The tradition is celebrated in a big way at Naggar, the ancient capital of Kullu district, where special rituals are organised.

Kay Kay Menon For ‘Vodka Diaries’ In Manali

Shalini Roy Bhardwaj

Known for his excellent acting skills, Bollywood star Kay Kay Menon is currently in Manali for the second shooting schedule of his upcoming film ‘Vodka Diaries’. After reaching Manali, the actor received a warm welcome from the locals. Kay Kay has been clicked, while roaming in the beautiful valley of Manali. The whole crew will be seen in the valley until the end of the shooting. They will create a Vodka club where shooting will be held. Locals have gone crazy to watch the shooting in their town. As the film shooting is going on in the valley, locals have also got the chance to play small roles in this. Mandira Bedi and Raima sen would also accompany the actor very soon. It seems like Kay Kay Menon is enjoying shooting in the lap of Himalayas, as he looks pretty happy during his shooting schedule. Earlier, the shooting of the movie was held in Mumbai and its surrounding. The film’s last scenes are being shot in Manali. ‘Vodka Diaries’ is gearing for a release in July 2017.

About Movie

Vodka Diaries is an Indian thriller film, directed by Kushal Srivastava. It is being directed by Ad film maker famous comedian Raju Srivastav’s brother Kushal Srivastava under the banner of K’Scope Entertainment Pvt Ltd. The film’s stars Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen and Mandira Bedi. The film revolves around a club, Vodka Diaries, owned by one Roshni Banerjee (Raima), in which a series of murders takes place. Kay Kay is playing the ACP who investigates the murders. It will go on floors towards the end of July and is being shot in Manali.

A Chance For Locals Too

Locals are also getting the chance to play small roles in the movie include Rekha, Gurdeep, Rupender, Aniket and Sanju. They will play roles of cops who will help the ACP Kay Kay in investigations.

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