- KR Bharat
- 2025-10-21
In the heart of Karimnagar town in Telangana lies the Karkhanagadda cemetery, where the festival of Diwali is observed in a distinctive, deeply personal way. Every year, families — predominantly from the Scheduled Caste community — gather at the cemetery on Diwali night. They clean and paint the graves of loved ones, decorate them with lamps and flowers, and then bring food, sweets, and even fireworks to celebrate.
What makes the celebration all the more unique is the variety of offerings made to the departed. Beyond the usual vegetarian dishes, many families bring favourite non-vegetarian foods of the deceased, and in some cases even liquor, toddy, cigarettes or gutkha, in the belief that by sharing these with their ancestors, the living maintain a bond and invoke their blessings.
This tradition has persisted for decades — local residents say it’s been around for 60-odd years — and over time it has gained support from the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation (KMC), which makes arrangements for cleaning the cemetery, providing drinking water and lighting. Clearly, for these families, Diwali is not just a festival of lights in the home, but also an occasion to remember, honour and celebrate the lives of those who have passed on.
In recent years the tradition has also drawn attention from politicians and media alike. Candidates and office-bearers from major parties have attended the cemetery gatherings on Diwali, recognising the custom and the community engaged in it.
