Graveyard sparkles with glow of firecrackers in unique ritual

The cemetery at Karkhanagadda of Karimnagar town came alive with the vibrant glow of lamps as several families from nearby areas and elsewhere in the town celebrated Deepavali at the cemetery, showcasing their eternal connection with their ancestors and deceased loved ones.

On the evening of Monday, October 20, 2025, large numbers of families flocked to the cemetery to celebrate the festival of lights, in line with a practice that has been common among some families in the area for decades.

Before performing the puja, they prayed for the blessings of their ancestors by offering them various homemade foods and sweets at their flower-decorated graves.

“This tradition has been in vogue for decades and is an example of our deep respect for our ancestors,” says Kamsala Srinivas, a former partner of the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation.

“We decorate the graves of our ancestors with flowers, light earthen diyas in front of them, and then offer food,” he adds.

“The grand celebration culminates in the explosion of fireworks that illuminate the cemetery with a brilliant glow,” he details.