BHOPAL: It is a cracker of a Diwali during the monsoon in 40 villages of Betul district in Madhya Pradesh. And festivities have kicked off two-and-half months early, not by tradition or a panchayat dikat — it's actually being driven by superstition and a fear of the unknown.


Celebrations are fuelled by rumours that if anyone fails to celebrate Diwali during the rains, the family will lose its eldest son and or face calamity. Superstition is also driving the economy in times of recession in these vast swathes of impoverished land.

When rains bring trade to a grinding halt in this southern district of Madhya Pradesh, fear of the unknown is spurring business. Villagers are now making three trips to Salkanpur temple to appease the goddess and avert a tragedy at home.

And this is given a fresh spurt to the transport business and local trade in Betul. Most villagers who are jobless during this season are also earning fast buck. There's brisk buying and selling and money is exchanging hands.

Husband of the sarpanch of Mahendrawadi village, Narendra said, "In my village, people celebrated Diwali on August 4. And festivities are continuing for 15 days. Every family is making purchases. Last year too, similar rumours had triggered a pilgrim rush to the Salkanpur temple."

"Normally jeep drivers charge Rs 1000-1200 for a trip to Salkanpur temple, but now a one-round trip costs Rs 3000-3500. I think, these transporters are fuelling rumours to make money," husband of the sarpanch of Mahendrawadi village, Narendra said. Such is the superstition sweep that even elected representatives are celebrating Diwali in Ghodadongri block of Betul.

Vice-president of the Ghodadongri Janpad Panchayat, Pradeep Vishwas said, "The sarpanchs are also celebrating Diwali after rumours spread that a deity appeared before cattle grazers and said those who fail to celebrate Diwali will face dire consequences. I think business is being driven by superstition in the months of recession."

Panchayat secretary of Kolgaon village, Khemraj Yadav said, "We tried to educate villagers, but nobody is ready to believe that it's a rumour."

"In our village, Diwali was celebrated on August 11 because it's when villagers came to know about the rumor," said sarpanch of Juwadi village Dinesh Sahu.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Diwali-in-monsoon-Its-raining-money-in-recession-in-MP-villages/articleshow/21887820.cms