Diwali was celebrated in the traditional way by lighting Dawalatha in Keonthal area

There was a lot of confusion regarding the Diwali festival this year. In some villages of Keonthal, people performed Lakshmi Puja in their homes on the night of Amavasya on October 20. Whereas in the villages where ancient temples of the deity exist, Diwali was celebrated on Tuesday by lighting a traditional bonfire of maize stalks, which is called Dawalatha in the local language, in the temple. Thereafter, people celebrated the festival of lights with joy by lighting lamps in their homes and preparing traditional dishes like Patada and Kheer. Whereas yesterday, people celebrated Chhoti Diwali by making Askaliyas.
Senior citizen Daulat Ram Mehta and former village head Dayaram Verma, along with several others, explained that Diwali is celebrated as a Panchparva in the area, with the festival of Mudhi celebrated on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali. On this day, people prepare Mudhi made from wheat, black gram, and kidney beans, which is eaten with walnuts. Similarly, on the night of Chhoti Diwali, people prepare Askaliya in their homes, which is eaten with ghee, sugar, and honey. Similarly, on Diwali, people specially prepare Patanda and Kheer. After lighting lamps in their homes and the local temple, they light a bonfire in the village square, where people of all castes participate and dance.
He said that after this, a vigil is held in the temples by placing a Ghaina. During this time, in respect of the deities, people sleep on the floor in their homes and women do not wash their hair. Daulat Ram Mehta said that special prayers are offered to Dev Junga on the occasion of Diwali in the entire area of ​​Keonthal. He said that on the occasion of Padwa, i.e. Govardhan Puja, the next day of Diwali, people garland their animals and give them flour cakes. On Bhaiya Dooj, there is a tradition of taking out a jatra in the name of the deity so that instead of any epidemic outbreak in the area, happiness and prosperity are ushered in.