Darbhanga, Oct. 21: On October 26, when the entire country will celebrate Diwali, two villages in Darbhanga will have already exhausted their sweets and crackers.

Every year, Nawada village under Benipur block and Paghari village under Baheri block in Darbhanga celebrate Diwali a day earlier. This tradition is being followed since 1296.

Mathili writer Chandra Mani Jha, a resident of Nawada village, told The Telegraph: “The villages have been following the tradition of celebrating Diwali one day in advance since 1296. That year, the villagers celebrated the festival with the Darbhanga Maharaj, Shakra Singh, and the commander of his army, Dewaditya Thakur. The day happened to be chaturdashi (a day before Diwali).”

Jha said Alauddin Khilji, who ruled Delhi at that time, had honoured both Shakra Singh and Dewaditya with “Mantri Ratnakar”. While returning from Delhi, the two stayed at Nawada village and worshipped goddess Durga at Nawadaya Bhagawati temple and ordered Diwali celebrations in the village. “Generations after generations have been following the tradition ever since. Even the people in the Paghari block have been following the same tradition of celebrating Diwali on chaturdashi (14th day) of Kartik month,” he added.

Kamala Kant Jha, another resident of Nawada village, said: “To us, Diwali is a very special occasion. We celebrate the festival a day before the country celebrates. On the occasion, we worship Goddess Durga and light earthen lamps.”

Even though the two villages are ahead of the country in celebrating its favourite festival, the residents continue the festivities even the next day.