Visakhapatnam: On the Diwali day, two villages, one near Srikakulam in Gara mandal and another in Ayodhyapuram panchayat of Tekkali mandal, come under spotlight, as they are named “Deepavali."
The Deepavali village in Gara mandal covers 143 hectares and has a total population of 1,181 people. Locals say their village had been named Deepavali by King Kalinga, who ruled the Srikakulam region. As per the story, the king would go from Srikakulam to Kalingapatnam every day on his horse. On the way, he stopped at Lakshminarayana Temple near Srikurman.
Once, while arriving at the temple on the Diwali day, he fell from his horse and lost consciousness. Vaishnavas and cowherds at the Lakshminarayana Temple revived him.
When King Kalinga woke up, he asked those who helped him the name of the village. They said the village had no name. Since this incident took place on Diwali, the king named the village Deepavali and announced waiver of all taxes collected from the village. Since then, this village has continued to be called Deepavali, with the name also figuring in revenue records.
Diwali is celebrated in both the Deepavali villages for five days, residents V. Srinu and A. Ramakrishna told Deccan Chronicle. Families come together to share meals, exchange sweets and engage in playful banter, strengthening relationships and promoting community cohesion.
At nightfall, villagers share stories, sing traditional songs, and partake in cultural performances, creating a captivating ambiance for both residents and visitors.
